`Unwind by the water': CM Revanth announces night tourism plan for Musi riverfront

Hyderabad: Telangana is set to promote night tourism along the Musi river as part of an ambitious riverfront development plan.

Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy said the project will generate employment and revitalise economic activity while restoring the city’s lost charm.

Addressing a gathering after inaugurating the Eco Hill Park at Kothwalguda, the Chief Minister reiterated that Hyderabad would be developed into a world-class city through planned urban expansion, improved infrastructure, and global best practices.

Night tourism along Musi river

The Chief Minister said the Musi riverfront project would transform the polluted riverbanks into vibrant public spaces. Night tourism activities will be introduced along the river to create jobs and boost the local economy.

Defending the project against criticism from the Opposition, including the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), he rejected claims that large-scale displacement would occur.

“No one wants to live in polluted conditions. While development projects may create temporary difficulties for some communities, the government will not abandon those affected,” he said.

He assured that families losing land or houses due to development initiatives would receive comprehensive rehabilitation, compensation, and necessary facilities.

Infrastructure push: Radial Road–2 interchange

On the occasion, the Chief Minister laid the foundation stone for the Radial Road–2 interchange connecting to Budwel Layout.

The project aims to strengthen road connectivity and enhance urban infrastructure in the fast-growing western corridor of the city.

He said planned infrastructure expansion would ease traffic congestion and support Hyderabad’s long-term growth.

Shamshabad to emerge as bullet train hub

Referring to the development of Rajiv Gandhi International Airport at Shamshabad, Revanth Reddy said the airport project too had initially faced opposition but later emerged as a major asset for both the city and the State.

He announced that Shamshabad is poised to become a bullet train hub, with proposed high-speed rail links connecting Hyderabad to Bengaluru, Amaravati, and Chennai.

The Chief Minister said global investors are increasingly looking at Hyderabad, adding that companies associated with international business leaders such as Donald Trump and Elon Musk are exploring opportunities in the city.

Learning from global models

Revanth Reddy said public representatives had been sent abroad to study international urban development models so that Hyderabad could adopt best practices in city planning and governance.

“When we try to improve the city, some oppose it, saying that if they could not do it, we should not do it either,” he remarked.

Hyderabad’s legacy and vision ahead

The Chief Minister recalled that during the tenures of former Chief Ministers N. Chandrababu Naidu and Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy, Krishna and Godavari river waters were brought to Hyderabad, strengthening the city’s drinking water supply.

He also noted that under the rule of the erstwhile Nizam, eminent engineer Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya designed flood-control measures for the Musi river.

Highlighting Hyderabad’s heritage, he referred to landmarks such as Osmania General Hospital, Golconda Fort, and the State Assembly building as symbols of the city’s historic grandeur.

However, he expressed concern over encroachments and garbage accumulation that have affected the city’s image over the years.

Declaring that there is no city in the country more beautiful than Hyderabad, the Chief Minister asserted that with vision and commitment, the State government would elevate it to compete with the world’s leading cities.