Musi Will Be a Boon, Not a Curse for City: Revanth

Hyderabad: Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy stressed that the Musi River should be a boon, not a curse, for Hyderabad a city rapidly developing to international standards in public health, economic strength, and environmental sustainability, aligning with the city's growth toward international standards in public health, economic development, and environmental sustainability.

In a post on X on Thursday, he reiterated the Congress government's commitment to cleaning and rejuvenating Musi River so as to benefit the present and future generations.

Meanwhile, the state government has initiated steps to acquire defence and private land near Bapu Ghat in Langar Houz. This is intended to facilitate the Musi rejuvenation project, official sources said.

The project will be executed in three phases, with the first phase focusing on the area from Osmansagar to Bapu Ghat (11.5 km) and Himayatsagar to Bapu Ghat (8.5 km).

Revenue officials have completed a land survey of these stretches, which showed that the defence ministry holds 221 acres 171 acres in Rangareddy district and 50 acres in Hyderabad district. Additionally, the state government holds 34 acres, including 27 acres at Bapu Ghat and seven acres belonging to the state tourism department.

The survey identified 39 acres of private patta lands within the Musi catchment area, which will pose a significant challenge to the project. These land holdings include apartments, independent houses and commercial complexes. Notably, a large apartment complex with approximately 450 flats near Tipu Khan bridge is among the affected properties.

The government is exploring compensation options, including offering alternative lands and constructing houses for the displaced residents, sources added.

Regarding the defence land, the state government has written to the defence ministry seeking their transfer. In exchange, the state has proposed offering alternative land.

While the proposal includes relocating military training organisations currently occupying these lands, it suggests retaining the military school in the existing location. The state's plans now await the ministry's approval.