Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy said the Detailed Project Report for Phase I of the Musi Rejuvenation Project will be ready in the next few days, providing a clear roadmap for works that the state hopes to begin before the end of the financial year.
Musi Rejuvenation Project progress and next steps
Phase I will cover a 21 kilometre stretch, comprising 9.5 km from Osmansagar to Bapughat and 11.5 km from Himayatsagar to Bapughat. Officials expect the DPR to outline the precise scope of works ahead of Sankranti, followed by the preparation of project cost estimates with a view to issuing work orders after 31 March.
The state government has sought financial assistance of 7,100 crore from the Asian Development Bank. That request has received approval in principle and the Central Government has granted permission to prepare the DPR for the first phase. Mr Reddy said the government will arrange a PowerPoint presentation on the salient features of Phase I in the Legislative Assembly once the DPR is received.
The Musi Rejuvenation Project is conceived as a comprehensive intervention to tackle persistent pollution and water-quality problems that affect Hyderabad and surrounding districts. The Chief Minister described the project as designed to deliver a cleaner river and modern riverfronts that would improve urban living conditions, support a night-time economy, and enhance the states global image.
Alongside the Phase I works, the government proposes to develop a 55 km stretch from Gandipet to Gowrelli with an elevated corridor. The broader plan envisages linking four rivers Musi, Isa, Krishna and Godavari to provide a long-term mitigation of drinking-water shortages for the city.
Mr Reddy also announced a separate but related initiative, the Gandhi Sarovar project, which will be developed on 500 acres and feature an iconic 150 ft statue of Mahatma Gandhi. The scheme includes land currently under defence control; the Union Defence Minister has agreed to transfer an initial 55 acres and the state is pressing for an additional 50 acres to allow early works to commence.
Answering questions in the Assembly, the Chief Minister highlighted the acute challenges faced in Nalgonda district, where residents contend with fluoride-affected groundwater and pollution entering the Musi. He said the rejuvenation project aims to provide lasting relief to communities downstream by improving the rivers water quality and restoring surrounding ecosystems.
Mr Reddy invited opposition MLAs to visit international riverfront developments to study best practice and offer constructive suggestions. The government offered to finance such study visits to ensure legislators can review comparable projects and contribute to refining the proposals.
With the DPR imminent, the state faces a tight timeline. Officials will need to finalise cost estimates, secure funding arrangements and clear statutory approvals before construction begins. If the schedule holds, work on Phase I could begin shortly after the financial year closes, setting in motion one of Telanganas largest urban river restoration efforts.
Key Takeaways:
- The Detailed Project Report for Phase I of the Musi Rejuvenation Project will be ready in the coming days, covering 21 km from Osmansagar and Himayatsagar to Bapughat.
- The State has sought ₹4,100 crore in assistance from the Asian Development Bank and received central approval to prepare the DPR.
- Musi Rejuvenation Project aims to clean the river, link Musi with Isa, Krishna and Godavari, and develop a 55 km elevated corridor to secure drinking water and boost the night economy.
- The government will present a project briefing in the Assembly and plans simultaneous works including the Gandhi Sarovar with a 150 ft Gandhi statue.
