HYDERABAD: Disclosing that works related to the Musi rejuvenation project such as inviting tenders to construct a channel to bring Godavari waters from Mallannasagar to Gandipet will commence in the first week of November, Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Tuesday said that the first phase of the project will be taken up near Bapu Ghat at Langar Houz.
This phase would include a world-class comprehensive riverfront development project housing wellness, educational, investment and recreational centres on the banks of the rivulets Esa (Esi) (11.5 km) and Musa (9.5 km) which converge to form the Musi.
“If Musi dries up, there will be no life for Hyderabad,” Revanth said during an informal conversation with reporters, asserting that he would not turn back from the Musi Riverfront Development Project despite the financial crunch faced by the government.
“The government is exploring all possible avenues, including Public Private Partnership (PPP), Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM) and other models to fund the Musi project,” the chief minister said. “I am selling a concept. There is no money in the treasury. KCR told us the debt was Rs 3.5 lakh crore but it was actually Rs 7.5 lakh crore,” he said.
The chief minister said that the Musi project was interlinked with various other development projects for which the government will call tenders next month. The aim is to complete the project in two years, he said.
The chief minister said that he will make a PowerPoint presentation showcasing a comprehensive design for the Musi project which will be released in the near future, possibly in 30 to 45 days.
Stating that plans were being prepared to install the world’s largest statue of Mahatma Gandhi at Bapu Ghat, the chief minister said that a London Eye-styled giant wheel, theme parks, eco friendly zones and off campuses of world-class universities would come up on the banks of the river.
A consortium comprising five international companies (Meinhardt, RIOS, Cushman & Wakefield, ZHA, and SOM) will prepare the complete model and design as well as the strategies to achieve the target,” the chief minister said. He said that the government will spend on land acquisition.
“We are spending sleepless nights designing the project. We want debate and discussion on the project and that is why we are not stopping Opposition leaders from visiting Musi catchment areas,” Revanth said.
Asked about the houses on the riverbed that were identified and marked, he revealed that the consultant wanted information on the extent of land availability to properly design the project. “That’s why we identified and encouraged Musi dwellers to voluntarily demolish the structures. If the boundaries were not as expected, the purpose of the project would be defeated,” the chief minister said.
Stating that the government was ready to offer a better compensation for the Musi dwellers keeping in view the larger good, Revanth said that the government has given hope to the people living in the catchment areas of the river. He said that the government conducted a massive survey with 33 teams, each headed by RDO rank officials.
Asked about other plans, the chief minister said that the government would develop a Sultan Bazar-like street shopping centre for nightlife where all essentials would be made available at one place. “The business community near the Musi would be stakeholders,” he said.
“An additional cycle (business) will be created for Hyderabad enabling families to relax and hang out,” he said.