Design ready, April date for Musi riverfront work

HYDERABAD: The Musi Riverfront Development Corporation (MRDC) has finalised its designs for cleaning up and beautifying River Musi. These designs would soon be available on public domain so that citizens concerned can give their suggestions.

The state government has decided to allocate Rs. 500 crore to kick-start the Musi development project. The MRDC would later knock on the doors of financial institutions for funding.

According to sources, the corporation has finalised designs and landscapes for the Phase I beautification and development works from Puranapul to Chaderghat. These works will start in April after evaluation of shortlisted designs and calling of tenders. The tasks expected to be completed by March 2021.

As per plans, MRDC will construct berms, jogging and cycling tracks, walkways, foot over bridges and green spaces. There will be boating and illumination facilities. Kiosks will also be set up. The pilot project taken up along Puranapul to Chaderghat stretch of four kilometres will subsequently be replicated all along the course of the river within the city.

Consultants have submitted designs to the government. MRDC has suggested a few changes. A high-level meeting on Monday will finalise the designs, if necessary, by making a few more changes. The same will be submitted to the state government for final approval.

A senior official said MRDC would construct several parks on the available 430 acres of the government land. To protect the river from encroachments, the corporation would construct retaining walls and flood protection walls in low-lying areas. A rubber dam will be constructed across Musi for regulating water flow, besides developing roads along its banks.

“In addition, MRDC will set up 32 sewerage treatment plants to minimise water contamination. It would also use Godavari and Krishna River water for further purification,” he said.