‘Blasting Conspiracy’ Threatens Mallanna Sagar

1. ■ Midnight blasts conducted just 150 metres from reservoir bund
2. ■ Cracks appear in houses in Tipparam village; seepage near bund reported
3. ■ Harish Rao accuses Revanth government of playing with dam safety
4. ■ Demands immediate halt to illegal blasting and cases against those responsible

metro india news  I GAJWEL/KONDAPAKA

Former minister and BRS Legislature Party deputy leader T Harish Rao has accused the State government of endangering Mallanna Sagar reservoir through unauthorised blasting operations near its bund.

He alleged that heavy blasts were being carried out at midnight, barely 150 metres from the reservoir bund, in the name of constructing pipelines and a pump house to divert water for the Musi beautification project.

Following complaints from residents of Tipparam village, Harish Rao inspected the reservoir bund and the blasting site on Thursday. He said the bund was 40 metres high and that, as per regulations, blasting should not be carried out within a 400-metre radius. However, he alleged that these rules were being openly violated.

He said excavations to depths of 16 to 20 metres had been underway for the past two to three months, with massive boulders being blasted. The explosions were reportedly causing cracks in house walls in Tipparam, nearly a kilometre away, while villagers had also expressed concern over increased seepage near the bund.

Harish Rao criticised the lack of clarity among police and revenue officials regarding permissions for the blasting. He alleged that the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB) had ignored a letter from irrigation officials seeking suspension of the works. He questioned whose support had enabled such large-scale blasting and demanded an immediate safety inspection of the reservoir by expert engineers.

Meanwhile, he alleged that Dalit farmers holding assigned lands had been treated unfairly during the acquisition of around 60 acres. He demanded fair compensation for all eligible farmers under the 2013 Land Acquisition Act, with a minimum of Rs 20 lakh per acre. He warned that he would launch a direct agitation on behalf of farmers if the compensation was not reviewed.

Harish Rao said he would write an open letter to Irrigation Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy, demanding an immediate halt to unauthorised blasting, suspension of the officials responsible and registration of cases against the contractor and agency concerned. He also sought compensation for houses damaged by the explosions and justice for affected residents. He warned that HMWSSB officials would be held responsible if the blasting caused damage to the Mallanna Sagar bund.

Dubbak MLA Kotha Prabhakar Reddy, MLC Dr Yadava Reddy, former corporation chairpersons Vanteru Pratap Reddy, Errolla Srinivas and Bakki Venkatayya, local representatives and residents of Tipparam accompanied him during the visit.