Hyderabad: Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Thursday asserted that the ongoing Musi development project was not a beautification project but a comprehensive rejuvenation project aimed at transforming Hyderabad and boosting the economy of Telangana.
Addressing a press conference at the Secretariat, Revanth Reddy lashed out at Opposition parties, particularly the BRS and the BJP, for obstructing the project and spreading misinformation.
He said that the government had allocated only `141 crore for the preparation of a detailed project report (DPR) for Musi rejuvenation. Five top global firms, with experience in world-class infrastructure, have been hired to develop the DPR as part of a consortium.
He said the DPR would be ready in 18 months and the project will be executed in six-and-a-half years from now and play a key role in making Hyderabad a city that can compete globally.
The Chief Minister said the Opposition's claim that the Congress government is spending `1.5 lakh crore on the project was baseless and untrue. He said that the actual project cost would be determined only after the DPR was submitted. These companies would prepare plans for the revival of the Musi, project cost estimations and mobilisation of funds.
Revanth Reddy described the Musi project was vital for the future of Hyderabad, promising to enhance the standard of living, create jobs, and improve livelihoods. "The Musi project will revitalise the river and help the people who live along its banks," he said.
He said that BRS leaders were “speaking nonsense” on the Musi project out of frustration after losing power. The previous BRS government looted Telangana like ‘bandits’ for 10 years and were trying to stop the Musi revival project. The Opposition is creating a wrong impression by branding the Musi revival as a beautification project. “The Opposition leaders' brains are filled with poison which is more dangerous than the dirt of Musi river,” Revanth Reddy said.
"Thirty three teams of officials visited the habitations alongside the Musi area and studied their problems. We came to know the poor are living in miserable conditions in the stench," the Chief Minister said.
Revanth Reddy urged the public not to be swayed by the Opposition’s “jealousy and hatred,” insisting that the Musi rejuvenation would not only solve environmental and housing issues but also secure the future of Hyderabad by preventing flood risks and waterlogging, as seen in other major cities like Bengaluru, Chennai besides Wayanad, which witnessed heavy flooding recently.
"Polluted Musi is not just poisoning Hyderabad but also Nalgonda, where contaminated water flows. Our project will revive both regions," the Chief Minister said.
He also accused the Opposition for hindering the project for political gain. "The BRS leaders are obstructing the Musi project out of frustration at losing power. They are spreading lies, claiming that the project is focused on beautification at the cost of the poor," he said.
He criticised the previous BRS government for mishandling projects, such as the Mallannasagar, Kondapochammasagar and Mid Manair, where he said oustees were thrown out of their houses using brutal police force.
“Our approach is different. We are not evicting people like the previous BRS government. We have already provided 2BHK homes to over 1,600 families that were living in Musi’s riverbed, along with `25,000 for relocation expenses," Revanth Reddy explained. He added that the government planned to rehabilitate another 10,000 families residing in the buffer zone of the Musi.
Stating that no city was blessed like Hyderabad with a river flowing in the middle, Revanth Reddy said, "We aim to make Hyderabad a world-class city. The opposition wants to bury Musi in history, but we will revive it for future generations."
