Former Telangana IT minister K.T. Rama Rao’s (KTR) farmhouse near Hyderabad has come under scrutiny and faces a demolition threat due to alleged violations of environmental regulations. Authorities claim the property encroaches upon designated agricultural land, violating zoning laws, which has sparked political debates and raised questions about land use in the region.
Political Controversy Surrounding KTR’s Farmhouse in Telangana
The political storm in Telangana has shifted focus from one farmhouse to another, now from K. Chandrashekar Rao (KCR) to his son K.T. Rama Rao (KTR). For nearly a decade, KCR’s Erravelli farmhouse, located 65 km north of Hyderabad, was a focal point of political controversy, particularly during the TRS-BRS government’s two terms. It was frequently rumored that KCR ran state affairs from this farmhouse, visiting it once a week or bi-weekly, according to residents from his constituency, Gajwel. The opposition accused him of using it to hide corruption, especially regarding the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project.
KTR’s Farmhouse: A New Political Focal Point
Fast forward eight months after BRS lost power, KTR’s farmhouse has now taken center stage in the political debate. Located 30 km east of Hyderabad near the Osman Sagar lake, KTR’s farmhouse is allegedly built inside the Full Tank Level (FTL) of the reservoir, putting it at risk of demolition. KTR claims the property is leased and not owned by him, but the controversy persists.
Environmental Allegations Against KTR’s Farmhouse
The farmhouse, situated in Janwada village, has been under scrutiny by Telangana Congress leaders, especially CM A. Revanth Reddy. Allegedly, the construction violates government order 111, issued in 1996 to protect Osman and Himayat Sagar lakes from residential and industrial development.
Government Order 111: A Safeguard for Lakes
Order 111, passed by the united Andhra Pradesh government, prohibits construction within a 10 km radius of the FTLs of these lakes. However, in May 2023, KCR’s government scrapped the order, allowing for real estate development in these protected areas. This move has faced backlash from environmentalists and has led to legal challenges in the Telangana High Court.
HYDRAA’s Demolition Drive: KTR’s Farmhouse in the Crosshairs
Currently, KTR’s farmhouse faces the scrutiny of the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA), an initiative spearheaded by Revanth Reddy. HYDRAA has been demolishing illegal constructions in the capital region, particularly those located in catchment areas and on lake beds. In recent weeks, prominent properties, including a convention center owned by actor Nagarjuna, have been razed for encroaching into the FTL of nearby water bodies.
KTR Defends His Property Amid Demolition Threats
KTR, during a press meet at the BRS headquarters, strongly defended the farmhouse. He clarified that he did not own the farmhouse but had leased it seven to eight months ago, after BRS lost power. In his defense, KTR pointed to other politicians, including Congress leaders, claiming that their properties in the same area also deserved scrutiny.
Opposition Reacts: Call for Transparency
Congress leaders have demanded that KTR submit evidence to the relevant authorities regarding the farmhouse’s legality. Meanwhile, BRS leaders, including KTR, have maintained that the demolition drive should not be selective and that all wrongdoers should face action.
Political Tug-of-War Over Farmhouse Demolition
As the political battle intensifies, the controversy surrounding KTR’s farmhouse has sparked debates about environmental protection, political accountability, and the use of power. While KTR remains adamant about his innocence, the situation continues to unfold with ongoing legal challenges and political allegations. The demolition drive by HYDRAA and the political statements from both sides are sure to keep the issue in the spotlight.
Since vacating the CM’s chair in December for Revanth, BRS supremo KCR has been biding time at his favourite abode in Gajwel. However, there has been no visual evidence in the public domain of KTR’s stay at the controversial Janwada farmhouse. #hydkhabar
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Siddharth Anand 
Ahssanuddin Haseeb