HYDERABAD: Inviting suggestions from the public for the Musi Riverfront Development Project (MRDP), a combative Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy said he was ready to convene a special Assembly session to discuss the project.
“Former chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, MLA KT Rama Rao, Union minister and BJP state chief G Kishan Reddy and MP Eatala Rajender should offer their suggestions. If necessary, we will seek legal advice to allow MPs representing the Musi areas to participate in the Assembly debate,” he announced.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday, the chief minister urged all political parties to submit their concerns by Saturday and assured them that the government would provide written responses.
“The MRDP is not merely a beautification effort but a rejuvenation project,” he remarked.
Subsequently, he announced that a consortium of Meinhardt, RIOS, Cushman & Wakefield and Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) has been selected as the project’s consultant.
“This consortium will prepare the project report. Each company specialises in different aspects such as design, cost estimation, resource mobilisation and planning. They will submit a detailed project report (DPR) within 18 months. The project will be completed in six years. Every minute detail will be made public once we get the DPR,” the chief minister explained.
Challenging former ministers Rama Rao, T Harish Rao and Rajender, Revanth dared them to live in the Musi area for three months. He stated, “I will personally pay the rent for their stay along the Musi River. If they can live there for three months, I will revoke the tenders and stop the project.”
Responding to challenges from BRS and BJP leaders to visit Musi catchment areas without security, Revanth said, “They keep asking me to come here and there.
Let’s visit the displaced families from Vemulaghat, Etigadda Kistapur and other villages submerged under the Mallannasagar project or people forced to move due to Kondapochammasagar or Ranganayakasagar without security. I am ready to visit the areas you represent: Gajwel and Siddipet, and let’s hold a ‘Rachabanda’. I will come to KCR’s constituency to discuss these issues with the people. The displaced families were never rehabilitated.”
‘Musi encroachment more dangerous than atom bombs’
In a query to opposition parties, the chief minister asked, “What are your motives behind the opposition to the Musi project? Do you want to bury Hyderabad in history? Shouldn’t this city become a better place? Neither I nor my Cabinet colleagues stand to gain financially from rehabilitating displaced families. I have no reason to cheat people. Am I doing this for my selfish interests?”
Stating that the government has paid `141 crore to the consortium as consultation fees, he wanted to know how the Opposition arrived at the figure of Rs 1.5 lakh crore as the cost of the project. “This is not the Kaleshwaram project to swindle money,” Revanth said, accusing the Opposition of spreading lies and misinformation about the Musi project and HYDRAA.
He said, “Some leaders are speaking out of frustration after losing power. The previous government looted Telangana like bandits for 10 years, and now they are trying to stop the prestigious Musi revival project. The opposition is misleading people by misrepresenting the Musi project. Their minds are filled with poison, which is more dangerous than the filth in the Musi river.”
The chief minister reiterated the government’s commitment to improving the lives of people living in polluted areas around Musi river, stating, “Musi has become a hell for Hyderabad. We aim to change that by offering better living conditions and double-bedroom houses to displaced families. However, the opposition is preventing them from leading better lives.”
“The encroachment of Musi is more dangerous than the (nuclear) bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki,” he remarked.
Reacting to BRS allegations linking Meinhardt to Pakistan, Revanth dismissed the claims as attempts to provoke communal sentiments, noting that Meinhardt was responsible for constructing the Statue of Unity in Gujarat.
Regarding objections raised by the BRS to the VLF naval radar station at Damagundam in Vikarabad district, Revanth said, “Those opposing a project related to national security are no better than terrorist Ajmal Kasab. All necessary clearances and land transfers for this project were completed during the BRS regime. There is no danger to the environment or the public from the VLF naval radar station.”