Gandhi Sarovar Project: Defence Ministry clears 83.81 acres at Bapu Ghat, Hyderabad
Synopsis
The Defence Ministry has cleared 83.814 acres of Army land at Artillery Centre Golconda — valued at ₹533.42 crore — for Telangana's Gandhi Sarovar Project at Bapu Ghat, where Mahatma Gandhi's ashes were immersed in 1948. The conditional approval, requiring Equal Value Infrastructure for the Army, removes the single biggest land hurdle for the Musi River Rejuvenation initiative.
Key Takeaways
The Ministry of Defence granted working permission on 18 June 2025 for 83.814 acres of Army land at Artillery Centre Golconda, Hyderabad .
The defence land is valued at ₹533.42 crore ; permission is conditional on creation of Equal Value Infrastructure (EVI) for the Army.
The land will be developed by Musi Riverfront Development Corporation (MRDC) into the Gandhi Sarovar Project at Bapu Ghat .
The site holds national significance — Mahatma Gandhi's ashes were immersed at the Esa-Musi river confluence here in February 1948 .
Revanth Reddy had originally sought 98.20 acres ; the approved parcel is 83.814 acres .
The Gandhi Sarovar Project is a flagship component of the state's Musi River Rejuvenation initiative.
Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Friday, 19 June expressed gratitude to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh after the Ministry of Defence granted working permission to the state government to develop Bapu Ghat in Hyderabad into the Gandhi Sarovar Project — a flagship component of the broader Musi River Rejuvenation initiative. The clearance unlocks 83.814 acres of defence land at Artillery Centre Golconda, valued at ₹533.42 crore.
What the Approval Covers
The Ministry of Defence, in a letter dated 18 June addressed to the Chief of Army Staff, accorded working permission to the Musi Riverfront Development Corporation (MRDC), Hyderabad to upgrade and develop Bapu Ghat into the Gandhi Sarovar Project. The permission is conditional on the creation of Equal Value Infrastructure (EVI) accruable to the Land Management Authority (Army) in lieu of the defence land — meaning the state must build equivalent infrastructure for the Army as a quid pro quo.
The defence land in question, measuring 83.814 acres within Artillery Centre Golconda, carries an assessed value of ₹533.42 crore. Notably, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy had originally requested the transfer of 98.20 acres; the permission covers a slightly smaller parcel, suggesting the final boundary was negotiated down from the initial ask.
CM Revanth Reddy's Response
Taking to X to convey his 'sincere gratitude', Chief Minister Revanth Reddy thanked Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, the Ministry of Defence, and the Indian Army for the clearance. 'This approval marks an important milestone in the Government of Telangana's vision for the comprehensive rejuvenation of the Musi River and the transformation of its riverfront into a vibrant ecological, cultural, and public asset for the people. We are grateful for the support and cooperation extended by the Ministry of Defence and the Indian Army,' he said.
Revanth Reddy had engaged with Rajnath Singh on the project on several occasions and had personally urged the Defence Minister to attend the foundation stone laying ceremony of the Gandhi Sarovar Project.
Historical and Cultural Significance of the Site
The project site at Bapu Ghat holds deep national significance: in February 1948, the ashes of Mahatma Gandhi were immersed at the historic confluence of the Esa and Musi rivers at this very location. The state government intends to develop the site into a world-class educational, cultural, spiritual, and environmental landmark reflecting Gandhi's ideals and legacy.
The Larger Musi Rejuvenation Drive
The Gandhi Sarovar Project is a key pillar of the Telangana government's Musi River Rejuvenation Project, which aims at ecological restoration, sustainable urban development, and the transformation of the riverfront into a public asset. The broader initiative has been positioned as one of the Revanth Reddy administration's most ambitious urban infrastructure undertakings since the state government took office. With the defence clearance now in place, the project moves closer to the ground-breaking stage, with the foundation stone laying ceremony expected to follow.
Point of View
And does it affect the project's design? More broadly, the Gandhi Sarovar approval is the most tangible land-clearance win for the Musi Rejuvenation project so far, but the real test will be whether execution timelines hold given the EVI conditionality, which adds a parallel construction obligation the state must fulfil before full use of the land is secured.
NationPress
5 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Gandhi Sarovar Project in Hyderabad?
The Gandhi Sarovar Project is a flagship development initiative by the Telangana government to transform Bapu Ghat — at the confluence of the Esa and Musi rivers in Hyderabad — into a world-class educational, cultural, spiritual, and environmental landmark. It is part of the larger Musi River Rejuvenation Project and is named in honour of Mahatma Gandhi, whose ashes were immersed at this site in February 1948.
Why did the Gandhi Sarovar Project need Defence Ministry approval?
The project site at Bapu Ghat falls on 83.814 acres of defence land within Artillery Centre Golconda, Hyderabad, which is under Army jurisdiction. Any construction or development on defence land requires explicit clearance from the Ministry of Defence, making the approval a prerequisite for the project to proceed.
What is Equal Value Infrastructure (EVI) and why does it matter here?
Equal Value Infrastructure (EVI) is a condition under which a state government must build infrastructure of equivalent value for the Army in lieu of using defence land. In this case, the ₹533.42 crore valuation of the 83.814-acre parcel means Telangana must deliver matching infrastructure to the Army before or alongside the project development.
How much land did Telangana originally request, and how much was approved?
Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy had requested the transfer of 98.20 acres of defence land for the Gandhi Sarovar Project. The Ministry of Defence approved working permission for 83.814 acres — approximately 14 acres less than what was sought.
What is the significance of Bapu Ghat, Hyderabad?
Bapu Ghat is the site where Mahatma Gandhi's ashes were immersed in February 1948 at the confluence of the Esa and Musi rivers, making it a location of profound national and historical significance. The state government intends to develop it into a landmark that reflects Gandhi's ideals of ecology, culture, and public service.
