Musi To Shine Like Seoul's Han: Ponguleti

Housing and Information & Public Relations Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy today said that the Musi river would be transformed in a manner similar to Seoul's Han river, which brought prosperity and modern amenities to South Korea.

A 12-member delegation led by Ponguleti visited Seoul to study the Han's transformation. They observed that Han, once a heavily polluted water body, had now become a thriving urban attraction.

He said that South Korea's restoration efforts began on October 1, 2003, despite initial public opposition. The South Korean government assured displaced families and small businesses along the river that they would benefit from the project. Within two years the river had been transformed, and by October 1, 2005, scenic landscapes, bustling commercial zones and flourishing tourism had replaced the once-filthy waterway, attracting global attention.

The Telangana delegation observed how the revival of the Han led to cleaner surroundings and new economic opportunities for the displaced communities. Tourism has since flourished, turning the riverbanks into vibrant spaces for both locals and visitors.

Inspired by this success, the Telangana government aimed to replicate a similar model for Musi, transforming it into a symbol of urban rejuvenation and sustainable growth, Ponguleti said. The project would bring tangible benefits to those affected by the river's current state, he claimed.

In addition to the rejuvenation, the State government was also considering the installation of waste-to-energy (WTE) plants to convert waste into electricity, the minister added.

The five-day visit included prominent Telangana leaders such as BC Welfare Minister Ponnam Prabhakar, MP Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy, MLAs Prakash Goud, Kale Yadayya and Malreddy Ranga Reddy, and Mayor Gadwal Vijayalakshmi, along with several media representatives.