Hyderabad: The proposed Musi River rejuvenation project turned into a major political flashpoint in the Telangana Assembly on Wednesday, with sharp exchanges between the ruling Congress and opposition BRS, reflecting the growing political stakes around the ambitious urban development plan.
While the government described the project as a transformative public welfare initiative aimed at improving Hyderabad’s urban landscape, the opposition questioned its transparency, cost estimates and potential impact on residents.
Government Defends Project
During the Question Hour, ministers said the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the first phase has been completed with an estimated cost between ₹6,000 crore and ₹7,000 crore. Officials also indicated that about 1,435 structures could be affected, with enumeration of properties currently underway.
IT and Industries Minister D. Sridhar Babu said the project is aimed at restoring the Musi River ecosystem and improving urban infrastructure.
Opposition Raises Transparency Concerns
BRS working president K.T. Rama Rao strongly criticised the government, alleging lack of transparency and questioning the speed at which the DPR was prepared. He demanded that the DPR be placed before the Assembly for detailed scrutiny.
He also accused the Congress of neglecting the river in the past and said the opposition was not against development but wanted clarity on rehabilitation plans and project execution.
Govt Accuses Opposition of Obstruction
Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka Mallu rejected the allegations and said the government was committed to transforming the Musi into a major urban asset. He assured that people affected by the project would be rehabilitated as per norms.
The ruling benches accused the opposition of politicising a development initiative, while tensions rose over issues relating to displacement and public consultations.
Walkout Amid Protests
As the debate intensified, BRS members expressed dissatisfaction over the responses given by the government and staged a walkout from the Assembly.
The government, however, reiterated its willingness to hold detailed discussions and called for cooperation from all parties for the implementation of the project.
The Musi River project is expected to remain a key political and urban governance issue in the coming months as discussions on rehabilitation, funding and execution continue.
