Foundation Stone for Radar Station to Be Laid Tomorrow at Damagundam

Rajnath Singh to Lay Foundation Stone for Radar Station

The timeline has been finalized for the construction of a VLF Radar Station to be built by the Indian Navy in the Damagundam forest area of ​​Puduru mandal, Vikarabad district. Union Defense Minister Rajnath Singh will lay the foundation stone for the radar station on the 15th of this month, in the presence of Chief Minister Revanth Reddy. In preparation for this event, Navy officials are making necessary arrangements.

For the past 14 years, the Navy has been working to establish this radar station. From 2010 to 2023, it held consultations with the then state governments. After the Congress government came to power in the state, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy focused on the project. On January 24 of this year, forest officials handed over 2,900 acres of reserve forest to the Navy. With the required land now secured, the foundation stone ceremony has been scheduled for the 15th of this month.

The Damagundam forest area, located 70 km from Hyderabad, spans 3,260 acres. Access to the forest is available through Puduru village, and it is home to the ancient Ramalingeswara Swamy temple.

Eastern Naval Command to Build Radar Station

Many devotees from the city visit the area, which is also a popular site for movie shootings. The forest is surrounded by approximately 20 small villages and hamlets (Thandas), and local residents rely on it for cattle fodder and other necessities. The forest contains small water sources and streams, and its biodiversity is remarkable, featuring various bird species, deer, and other wildlife. While there are no large animals, the area is rich in medicinal plants, drawing the attention of scientists for ongoing exploration.

The Navy has received 2,900 acres of land in this forest area, which includes 1,93,000 trees. An additional 300 to 400 acres consist of grasslands. Officials have indicated that not all the trees on the land will be removed. If necessary, forest department officials plan to uproot trees along with their roots and replant them in grasslands. The Visakhapatnam-based Eastern Naval Command will construct the VLF (Very Low Frequency) radar station at Damagundam. This radar system will facilitate communication with the crews of ships and submarines at sea.

Environmental Concerns

The VLF radar system operates by transmitting waves in the 3 kHz to 30 kHz range, which can penetrate up to 40 meters below the surface of the water and transmit signals over vast distances, including thousands of kilometers. This technology is used primarily for defense but also serves other radio communication needs. The radar station at Damagundam will be the second of its kind in the country, with the first located in Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu.

Questions have been raised about establishing a Navy radar system in landlocked Telangana. However, Navy officials explained that Damagundam's strategic location—midway between the Bay of Bengal to the east and the Arabian Sea to the west—makes it ideal for communication with naval crews. Additionally, its forested area, situated 360 feet above sea level and 60 km from Hyderabad, offers the required geographic advantage.

Many environmental organizations have expressed opposition to the construction of the radar station in the Damagundam Reserve Forest, citing concerns about its impact on greenery and biodiversity. Critics fear that the Moosi and Esi rivers may be endangered, and there are warnings that Hyderabad could face flooding. Numerous legal cases have been filed, and letters have been sent to the government voicing these concerns.

Expected Completion by 2027

In addition to environmental groups, local residents, under the banner of the Damagundam Forest Preservation Joint Action Committee, have been protesting the station for over a decade. They are urging the government to reconsider its decision. The radar station is estimated to cost around ₹2,500 crore, and Navy officials aim to have it operational by 2027.