Musi Rejuvenation project set to take off after monsoon

metro india news I hyderabad

The ambitious Musi Rejuvenation Project is likely to enter the execution phase immediately after the end of the current monsoon season, following a strategy similar to the restoration works undertaken at the Medigadda barrage. While large scale construction activity is expected to begin later this year, the Musi Riverfront Development Corporation Limited (MRDCL) is currently focused on completing all preparatory work to ensure a smooth rollout of the project.

Officials are working on finalising the Detailed Project Report, tender processes, loan clearances from the Asian Development Bank, project timelines and implementation schedules. The file seeking Administrative Sanction has already been moved, and once approvals are obtained, the pace of groundwork is expected to accelerate significantly.

The first phase of the project covers a 21 kilometre stretch and has been divided into two segments: Himayat Sagar to Bapu Ghat covering 9.2 kilometres and Osman Sagar to Bapu Ghat covering 11.8 kilometres. To ensure faster execution, the government is planning to award these as two separate packages, enabling two firms to undertake work simultaneously.

At the same time, authorities have decided against splitting the project into multiple small contracts. Officials believe awarding each package as a single contract will ensure better coordination and avoid delays that could arise if several agencies are involved.

Initially, work will commence on a five kilometre stretch that is free from land acquisition issues and other bottlenecks. Key activities will include removal of solid waste, river cleaning, hydrology and riverbed studies, construction of retaining walls for flood protection, laying sewage interception systems, development of roads along both banks and creation of storm water drainage networks.

The project is aimed at transforming the Musi into a clean and sustainable urban river while simultaneously improving flood management and enhancing public spaces along the riverfront.

Rubber Dams back on the Agenda

Alongside the rejuvenation plans, Hyderabad and Rangareddy district in charge ministers have suggested the construction of rubber dams at suitable locations along the Musi to facilitate water storage and promote water based recreation and tourism activities.

A similar experiment was attempted during the tenure of former Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy when a rubber dam was built near the Musi bridge adjoining the High Court. However, the initiative failed to attract public interest as polluted water and foul odour made the area unattractive.

Officials now believe the situation could be different. Under the rejuvenation project, sewage inflows into the Musi will first be stopped. In the next stage, nearly 2.5 TMC of Godavari water is proposed to be linked to the river, ensuring a continuous flow of cleaner water through the rejuvenated stretch. Once water quality improves substantially, the government may revisit plans for constructing rubber dams at multiple locations, potentially creating new recreational and tourism hubs along the river.