CM Revanth discusses plans for River Musi rejuvenation with Port of London Authority

Hyderabad: To work towards the rejuvenation of River Musi, chief minister A Revanth Reddy kickstarted the London part of his tour on Thursday by holding 3-hour long discussions with officials and experts of the principal water body governing body of river Thames, the Port of London Authority.

CM Revanth Reddy spoke of his vision for rejuvenating river Musi, and of the principal reason for visiting London – to learn about the management of the River Thames, understand and gather insights from its management and collate best practices.

Sian Foster, director of Corporate Affairs, and Raj Kehal-Livi, head of Stakeholder Engagement, Port of London Authority, presented a comprehensive history of the developmental activities along the River Thames, natural challenges and engineering response and solutions, stakeholder management, investments and revenue management, and best practices evolved over decades.

“Most cities on earth have developed historically besides rivers, lakes or the ocean. Water bodies are life-sustaining forces powering and enabling urban human habitats. Hyderabad developed along river Musi but is unique in being centred around Hussainsagar lake, and is fostered by other major water bodies, like Osmansagar. Once we reinvigorate and bring back Musi to its fullest force, Hyderabad will be powered by both a river and lakes,” said CM Revanth Reddy.

“We are ensuring the highest levels of sustainability for the river, even as we develop and optimise the developments along the banks. Finding optimal revenue models to ensure maximum benefits for people and local communities, and best-in-class project management for various projects underway and to be taken up in future is our continual focus,” said Raj Kehal-Livi

The apex body authorises assured all support to Hyderabad in all its efforts to rejuvenate river Musi. A more detailed outline of various potential partnership points was discussed. Both sides agreed to have more discussions and engagements in future and to collaborate on a posse of specific projects.

Recently, CM Revanth Reddy directed the officials to devise plans to develop the area along the River Musi as a tourism destination and a region of economic growth.

He asked the officials to consider the possibility of building bridges, commercial shopping complexes, amusement parks, hawker zones and pathways along the river in a private-public partnership. He also directed the construction of sewage treatment plants along the route to reduce pollution by preventing dirty water from flowing into the river. He also directed the construction of check dams to control the level of water in the river.