Union minister dismisses objections to Telangana naval radar station as baseless

Union Minister G Kishan Reddy called the opposition to the Indian Navy’s Very Low Frequency (VLF) Communication Station “baseless” and politically motivated.
Speaking at the foundation ceremony in Telangana’s Vikarabad district, Reddy criticised the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) for supporting the project earlier but raising objections now.
The foundation stone was laid by Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, with Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, Union Minister Bandi Sanjay, and senior Navy officials attending the event. This radar station will be the second of its kind in India, following the first in Tamil Nadu.
Reddy stressed that the project would strengthen defence infrastructure, create jobs, and enhance communication with naval ships and submarines. He also addressed environmental concerns, clarifying that only 1,500 trees out of 195,000 would be relocated and access to the Damagund Ramalingeshwara Swamy temple would remain unaffected.
He urged the public to not be misled by misinformation and condemned attempts to politicise matters of national security. Reddy further emphasised Telangana’s growing role in defence with key installations like the Cantonment, DRDO, and Air Force Base, calling the new radar station another proud achievement for the state.
BRS working president KT Rama Rao expressed strong opposition to the radar station, arguing that it threatens the environment and endangers the Musi River, a critical water source. He highlighted the contradiction between the state’s Rs.1.5 lakh crore Musi River beautification project and its support for the radar station, which could cause irreversible damage to the river’s origin in the Damagundam forest.
Rama Rao called for the area to be declared an “Eco Sensitive Zone” to protect Telangana’s natural heritage.