No injustice to RRR farmers: Minister Komatireddy
Minister Komatireddy Venkata Reddy has assured that the Telangana government will extend full support to all RRR (Regional Ring Road) displaced farmers. He accused the previous BRS government of completely neglecting the project and doing great injustice to the affected farmers.
Now that the Congress government is in power, he said, compensation is being paid to landowners at current market rates, ensuring justice to those who lost land for the project. However, farmers in several locations have been protesting against alignment changes and alleged forcible land acquisition, claiming that small farmers are being unfairly targeted. It is notable that Congress MLA Rajagopal Reddy has publicly extended support to the protesting farmers.
What is the Regional Ring Road (RRR)?
The Regional Ring Road (RRR) is one of Telangana’s most ambitious infrastructure projects- a 338 km expressway encircling Hyderabad, aimed at decongesting city traffic and promoting economic growth. However, it has become embroiled in land acquisition disputes and political controversy.
The project was approved by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2017–18, but Congress leaders allege that the BRS government (2014–2023) failed to take it forward, leading to delays and growing discontent among farmers whose lands were affected.
Delays and controversies
The RRR project, under the jurisdiction of the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA), covers 24 mandals across the northern and southern sectors of the city. Despite central approval in 2017, land acquisition lagged for years under the BRS government.
After coming to power in December 2023, Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy directed officials to accelerate the project, sanctioning ₹6,000 crore for land acquisition, equally shared between the Centre and the State. Minister Komatireddy clarified that landowners are being compensated at market rates — roughly ₹10–15 lakh per acre.
Farmers’ grievances
Farmers especially from Nalgonda, Bhongir, and other mandals where around 10,000 acres are affected have raised three key objections:
• Low compensation during the BRS regime.
• Delay in land acquisition.
• Demand for double compensation under the Congress government.
In September 2025, hundreds of farmers staged protests outside the HMDA office, demanding “Double Compensation and Alignment Correction.”
Allegations of favouritism
Farmers’ associations allege that alignment changes in the northern wing are designed to protect lands owned by influential politicians and real estate lobbies, while poor farmers are being displaced.
Similar protests erupted in the southern wing, where farmers demonstrated outside Minister Komatireddy’s residence on September 15, 2025, demanding:
“Don’t alter the alignment to favor leaders’ lands.”
These disputes have already delayed construction in several stretches.
Voices of the displaced
Displaced farmers are urging the government to provide plots for rehabilitation and comprehensive resettlement packages, citing both emotional and financial hardships. Protests intensified in September 2025, with road blockades in areas like Kalkurthi mandal, as farmers sought justice and transparency in the acquisition process.
Minister’s clarification
During a meeting with farmers at Peddakapatti village in Chityal mandal (Nalgonda district), Minister Komatireddy vowed:
“As long as I breathe, I won’t allow injustice to Triple-R farmers.”
He blamed the BRS government for failing to act on the 2017–18 central approval, but said the Congress government has since paid market-value compensation and won farmers’ consent.
He also confirmed that there will be no change in the northern alignment, and that tenders will be issued within two months. On the southern alignment disputes, he promised to consult the Chief Minister and form a cabinet committee to address grievances.
Government’s assurance
The minister reiterated that land acquisition will proceed only with farmers’ consent and that all disputes will be resolved amicably. The Congress government is portraying its handling of the RRR issue as proof of its commitment to farmer welfare, contrasting sharply with what it calls the BRS government’s “neglect and delay.”
Meanwhile, BRS leader Harish Rao has accused the Congress of “deceiving farmers,” warning that the issue could become politically explosive ahead of the 2026 elections.
Why does the project matter?
The RRR is expected to reduce Hyderabad’s traffic congestion by 30%, stimulate industrial and real estate growth, and connect key economic corridors. However, further delays caused by protests or mismanagement could slow progress.
Transparency in alignment revisions and rehabilitation packages will be crucial for success. For now, Minister Komatireddy’s assurances have rekindled some hope among farmers, but the project’s true test lies in swift, fair implementation.