Foundation Laid for VLF Radar Station in Telangana

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will lay the foundation stone for a Very Low Frequency (VLF) radar station in Telangana's Damagundam forest area, marking the end of the Indian Navy's 15-year wait for the project. This will be the second VLF station in India, following one in Tamil Nadu, and is projected to be completed by 2027. While state officials assert that environmental concerns are being addressed, opposition from Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leaders and environmentalists persists, with claims that the project could lead to the removal of over 12 lakh trees and damage to the ecosystem, especially affecting the Musi River. The BRS has criticized the Congress government for its contradictory stance on environmental protection, given its plans for river beautification alongside the radar project. Despite these concerns, state officials emphasize that a significant portion of the land will remain untouched as a green belt. The project has been controversial due to its implications for local ecology and the historical significance of the nearby Sri Ramalingeswara Swamy temple.