The Telangana government has focused on the Musi River revitalisation project within the Hyderabad area. Determined to develop the Musi riverfront to world-class standards, the Revanth government is preparing a comprehensive plan.
Officials report that illegal constructions have been taking place along the Musi river and its buffer zones, prompting the government to implement strict regulations. A specially appointed committee will monitor and curb unauthorised constructions along the Musi and Eesa rivers. Senior officials from various departments have examined the situation and recommended the need for strict control over constructions in these areas.
Simultaneously, the government has begun preparations for Musi river rejuvenation works across a 55-kilometer stretch in the Greater Hyderabad region. The project aims to develop the riverfront in a manner that ensures environmental protection while also promoting tourism and recreational spaces.
The Telangana government has decided to undertake development works at Bapu Ghat, under the name Gandhi Sarovar, using approximately Rs 4,000 crore from World Bank funds. Officials are preparing proposals to construct 17 new flyovers over the Musi River. The Revanth government is also taking steps to develop a metro rail corridor along the Musi riverbank.
For the Musi River development, officials are preparing a Detailed Project Report (DPR) and implementing plans to accommodate the residents currently living along the river. The government has allocated double-bedroom houses to these residents and ordered financial assistance of Rs 25,000 per family to ensure their livelihoods are not disrupted.
Through the Musi rejuvenation in Greater Hyderabad, the government plans to give the city a new face, transforming the Musi, which has turned into a drain, into a river comparable to the Thames in London. Ministers and public representatives from Greater Hyderabad visited Seoul, South Korea, to study the measures taken for river rejuvenation there, and the Telangana government intends to implement a similar approach for the Musi River.
Officials have decided to remove illegal constructions along the Musi River from Narsingi to Nagol. Revenue and irrigation officials have identified unauthorized structures within the Musi riverbed across Ranga Reddy, Hyderabad, and Medchal-Malkajgiri districts.
These houses were marked, and the residents were subsequently allocated double-bedroom houses. Many residents have already shifted to these new homes. In some areas, residents highlighted that their livelihoods would be affected, so the government allocated funds to support all of them.
Officials realised that attempting to carry out the entire Musi development project all at once could create difficulties, so they decided to implement it in phases. The first phase will focus on development works in the Narsingi area, Langar Houz, and Bapu Ghat regions. These areas were chosen because the riverbanks are largely vacant and have ample space, allowing beautification works to progress faster.
With Rs 1,500 crore already allocated by the Musi Development Corporation, officials plan to utilise available rights-of-way to carry out development in every feasible area. Preparations are underway to commence the Musi River development works shortly.
The Telangana government plans to cleanse and beautify the Musi River with an estimated investment of around Rs 25,000 crore. As part of this initiative, the government intends to divert Godavari River waters into the Musi.
Under this plan, with a budget of Rs 7,360 crore, Godavari waters will be transferred to the twin reservoirs Osman Sagar and Himayat Sagar, and from there, the Musi River will be rejuvenated. Chief Minister Revanth Reddy laid the foundation for this project.
Additionally, the government is considering establishing a road-cum-metro rail corridor along the Musi River. Metro authorities have preliminarily estimated that the metro rail construction along the river could cost up to Rs 9,000 crore, with the potential to cover 25 km of the 55 km stretch via land routes. The feasibility and detailed planning will be clarified after further studies.
The proposed Musi Riverfront development in Hyderabad spans from ORR near Narsingi to Bapu Ghat, High Court, Chaderghat, Nagole, and extends to East Hyderabad up to the ORR, aiming to transform the riverfront into a sustainable and aesthetically appealing urban space.
The Outer Ring Road (ORR) currently requires about 80 km of travel to go from one side to the other. To reduce travel time, the government has proposed a new inner-city route, which will include road construction alongside the Musi River beautification project.
The plan also includes a metro rail corridor along this route. After Nagole, part of the metro line could run above ground, especially in elevated areas, as suggested by the HMR authorities, helping to reduce construction costs. Feasibility studies are being conducted to identify the most cost-effective alignment.
Along the Musi River, the plan aims to maintain year-round water levels in the riverbed to allow boat travel for residents. Godavari waters will be diverted to the twin reservoirs (Osman Sagar and Himayat Sagar) and then released into the Musi to keep it clean. Check dams will be constructed approximately every 5 km in elevated sections to ensure a constant water supply throughout the year.
The project envisions tourist boating and river transport, allowing residents to travel from one bank to the other. Around the Musi, the government plans to develop parks, hotels, multiplexes, and shopping malls with detailed urban planning to ensure an integrated and sustainable waterfront development.