Musi Project: Congress ministers vow to rejuvenate with 'social responsibility'

Hyderabad: Rehabilitating those displaced by Musi Riverfront Development project will be a 'sacred mission' of Telangana government said deputy chief minister Bhatti Vikramarka and IT minister Sridhar Babu in the Assembly session.

Deputy chief minister Bhatti said, " CM Revanth Reddy has repeatedly clarified that apartments will be constructed within the same locality to provide rehabilitation to those displaced by the Musi River project. We will provide rehabilitation to every single person currently residing in the Musi riverfront area; we will not scrutinize whether or not they possess a house title deed."

"Why is the BRS against the project?," he asked.

Rehabilitation Without Red Tape

The government’s primary focus is social responsibility. Bhatti stated that the administration will provide rehabilitation to every resident currently living in the Musi riverfront area, regardless of whether they possess a formal house title deed.

To ensure a "lives-first" approach, the government has committed to:

Local Housing: Constructing modern apartments within the same locality to prevent the uprooting of communities.

Education & Healthcare: Establishing a 'Young India International School' and superior healthcare facilities specifically for the children and families of those displaced.

Minister Sridhar Babu Slams Opposition "Hypocrisy"

Minister D Sridhar Babu took a sharp aim at the BRS (formerly TRS) leadership. He presented government orders (GOs) from 2017 to prove that the Musi project was actually initiated by the previous BRS government, which had also identified thousands of structures for demolition. "Whenever a good initiative is taken, there will always be forces that try to obstruct it. But for the sake of future generations, we will not go back," Sridhar Babu asserted.

The Minister also highlighted that:

Job Creation: The project will act as a major "growth promoter," creating thousands of jobs for local artisans and industries.

Technical Excellence: The government is seeking international expertise—including technical support from Israel for wastewater reuse—to ensure the river is cleaned using world-class standards.

Environmental & Structural Overhaul

The rejuvenation plan involves a massive infrastructure upgrade to ensure that the river remains a perennial, clean water source.

STP Network: Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) will be installed at all strategic points. No water will be released into the river without thorough treatment.

Flood Mitigation: The project aims to end the cycle of "man-made disasters" and frequent flooding that plagues the capital.

Connectivity: As part of the 2050 Master Plan, nearly 29 new bridges are proposed to be built across the Musi to improve urban integration.

A Call for Constructive Dialogue

The government has invited critics and citizens alike to review project details on the official website. The Chief Minister Revanth Reddy recently challenged opposition leaders to spend time in the polluted Musi basin to understand the squalor residents currently endure, emphasizing that the government is open to constructive suggestions but will not tolerate "publicity stunts" that stall development.