CPI(M) slams government over Bhavani Island ‘privatisation’, neglect of Krishna river bund residents

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) State Secretariat member Ch. Babu Rao accused the State government on Sunday of showing undue enthusiasm in leasing out Bhavani Island to private entities while neglecting long-pending demands of residents living along the Krishna river bund in Vijayawada.

Participating in a ‘padayatra’ organised by the CPI(M) at Ranadive Nagar in Krishnalanka over housing titles, drainage and civic issues, Mr. Babu Rao demanded that the government grant ownership ‘pattas’ to families residing on the Krishna river bund for the past five decades. He also urged the authorities to permit residents to replace damaged house roofs and provide financial assistance for housing repairs.

He alleged that while the government had leased 130 acres of Bhavani Island to a private company for 99 years, it had failed to resolve the land title issues of thousands of poor families who had built homes with their own resources and lived there for decades.

The CPI(M) leader said residents had secured the construction of a retaining wall only after prolonged struggles, but even two-and-a-half years after its completion, the government had failed to construct the promised outfall drain, resulting in stagnant sewage, mosquito infestation and public health concerns.

Questioning the delay in issuing pattas, Mr. Babu Rao said there was no justification for withholding ownership rights after flood protection measures had been completed. He also criticised the government for neglecting basic infrastructure in the area despite spending heavily on development projects elsewhere.

The CPI(M) warned that it would continue its agitation until housing pattas were issued, roof repairs were permitted with government support and the outfall drain completed without further delay.