Hyderabad: Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has criticized the opposition for spreading false information about the Musi Rejuvenation project. He called for an end to what he referred to as a “smear campaign” against the government. He urged the opposition to stop making baseless claims, especially regarding the state’s development and national security concerns.
In a press conference, the CM explained that the government has assigned the task of preparing a detailed project report (DPR) for the Musi Rejuvenation project to a group of five globally recognized companies. The project is worth Rs 141 crore, not Rs 1.5 lakh crore as claimed by the opposition parties, BRS and BJP.
The Chief Minister also mentioned plans for a special Assembly session to discuss the project in detail. He invited Members of Parliament (MPs) to share their views on the project. Additionally, he asked the opposition parties to provide suggestions on how to rehabilitate the people living along the banks of the Musi River.
Revanth Reddy compared his role to that of a cricket team captain, emphasizing that progress can only be made if everyone works together. Instead of spreading misinformation, he encouraged the opposition to offer constructive suggestions, particularly regarding compensation for affected residents. He invited opposition leaders to submit questions about the project in writing, promising to respond to each one.
The Chief Minister clarified that the project is not about “beautifying” the Musi River, but about “rejuvenating” it. There are around 10,000 houses in the buffer zone, and it is the government’s duty to relocate these people to better, more livable areas. The goal is to ensure that these residents have access to all necessary facilities for a dignified life.
The consortium of five companies responsible for the project includes Meinhardt, the firm behind the ‘Statue of Unity’ project in Vadodara. This group is expected to submit the detailed project report within 18 months, with progress reports every three months.
The CM also gave some historical context, explaining that the Musi River is linked to religious figures such as Musa (Moses) and Isa (Christ). The river originates from the feet of Lord Shiva in the Ananthagiri Hills and flows for about 300 kilometers from Vikarabad to Nalgonda. He mentioned that 33 teams visited households along the river and found that many people were living in poor conditions.
Revanth Reddy expressed optimism that once the Musi River is rejuvenated, it will become an economic hub, allowing Hyderabad to compete with other leading cities globally. He clarified that only 200 families have been relocated to double-bedroom houses, and no homes were demolished by the government. Any demolitions were done voluntarily by the residents themselves.
Finally, the CM assured that the government had provided better alternatives for those living in the riverbed. He also promised that residents with larger homes would be compensated based on the value of their properties.
