Credit: PTI Photos
Hyderabad: Opposition BRS has announced it is opposing the construction of the VLF radar station in Vikarabad for which Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had laid the foundation on Tuesday.
BRS working president, K T Rama Rao, said that the radar station will threaten the ecology of the Dhamagundam forest area and vowed to fight to protect the area while joining hands with environmentalists. He also said that it will contaminate the origins of river Musi. Suspecting trouble ahead of Rajnath Singh's programme, police detained some environmental activists.
Telangana chief minister A Revanth Reddy who participated in the foundation laying said his government is in full support of the VLF station and flayed those who are trying to create controversy over the coming up of the radar station.
“Some are attempting to create controversy around VLF station.They are trying to create misconceptions that VLF station will cause injustice to people. A similar project was started in Tamil Nadu in 1990. The people there did not suffer any loss. It's a matter of pride that the country's second VLRFS is coming to our region.
Telangana society should recognize the importance of this project. Those raising controversies should think about national security. If the country exists, we exist. If we exist, our region will develop. I am telling one thing to environmentalists. We can think about environmental protection only if the country and its people are safe. It is not appropriate to make a project related to national security controversial. Our government will fully support taking VLF station forward,” said Revanth Reddy.
Allaying concerns about the impact of the project on the environment, Rajnath Singh said that all environmental conditions are being taken care of. It is being ensured that arrangements will be made for the rehabilitation of the affected people, if needed, at the time of construction, he added. He termed sustainable development as one of the priorities of the government, stating that it is being ensured that the new technology in this VLF station does not have a negative impact on the environment.
Rajnath Singh added that the VLF station will open new vistas of employment and economic development for the local population. “During its construction, skilled and unskilled workers of the surrounding area will get employment. Even after that, when the station starts functioning, there will be ample employment opportunities for the people. This station will not only increase employment, but also work as a growth pole, providing further impetus to the economic development in the surrounding areas,” he said.