Musi Rejuvenation Estimates By March 31: CM

Chief Minister Revanth Reddy today announced that estimates for the Musi Rejuvenation Project would be finalised by March 31 this year, after which works would commence by invitation for tenders.

Speaking in the Assembly, the Chief Minister said that the Asian Development Bank (ADB) had agreed to provide a loan of Rs 4,000 crore for the project, and that the Union government had also approved the development of Gandhi Sarovar under the Musi initiative and had agreed to provide defence land for its construction.

The CM said that consultancies had been appointed to prepare plans for the project, and that development was already underway in a V-shape at Gandhi Sarovar near Bapu Ghat. Once the Detailed Project Report (DPR) was ready, a presentation would be made to all MLAs to seek their suggestions, and suggestions would be taken from all stakeholders, he said.

Reddy said that rivers were important for civilisation, and that human civilisation evolved along river basins - from the Kakatiyas to the Nizam Nawabs, projects were undertaken to meet irrigation, drinking water and industrial needs. As part of planning for the Musi project, Reddy said that the government had studied river rejuvenation models in London (Thames River), New York, Japan, South Korea and Singapore, and that all world-class cities had protected their river basins.

Defending the project and the compromises involved, he said that nearly 60,000 families were relocated during the Sabarmati river clean-up in Gujarat, while the Ganga was also cleaned and riverfronts were developed in Uttar Pradesh. BJP leaders had promoted these projects as symbols of development, he said.

He also said that people were already suffering due to increasing pollution in the Musi caused by industrial effluents and animal waste, and specifically cited the plight of Nalgonda's residents. "Reports indicate that women living along the river are facing health problems. After studying the global best practices, the government is preparing plans to ensure the flow of clean water in the Musi," he said.

"A permanent solution to the Musi pollution will be achieved by diverting the Godavari waters. Of the 20 TMC proposed, 15 TMC will be utilised for drinking water needs and 5 TMC to maintain a continuous flow of clean water in the Musi river," he added.

Reddy said that the project also included the development of an ancient Shiva temple located in the Musi river basin near Manchirevula, as well as the construction of a gurdwara, a mosque and a church to promote religious harmony.

The Chief Minister strongly objected to being labelled a real estate broker. He said that real estate was also an industry and also that similar criticism had been made during the development of HITEC City.

"The poison in the hearts of some people is more dangerous than the pollution in the Musi," he said. He accused critics of attempting to prevent the truth from reaching the public and stalling discussions, and said that even BRS MLAs were demanding the cleaning of the Musi river.

He said that urbanisation would increase to 75% over the next 20 years, and that the project was inevitable.

Reddy also elaborated on the government's plan to construct a 55-km elevated corridor from Gandipet to Gourella.

Referring to the Old City's development, the Chief Minister said that the government aimed to transform it into one of the greatest cities in the world, and urged MLAs from the Greater Hyderabad region to submit proposals for the development of their constituencies.

"We are ready to build good houses for the poor and provide better facilities. Our resolve is to transform Hyderabad into a world-class city," the Chief Minister said.

The Chief Minister also said that strict action had already been taken against pollution of the Osman Sagar and Himayat Sagar reservoirs caused by drainage from farmhouses belonging to influential families. He recalled that after the devastating floods of 1908, the Nizam government constructed the Osman Sagar and Himayat Sagar projects as a permanent solution to flooding. These reservoirs continued to quench Hyderabad's thirst even today, he added.