Hyderabad, Jan 2 (NationPress) The Chief Minister of Telangana, A. Revanth Reddy, declared on Friday that the financial estimates for the highly anticipated Musi Rejuvenation Project will be completed by March 31 this year, with immediate plans to commence work by inviting tenders.

During a session in the Assembly, he highlighted that the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has committed to provide a substantial loan of Rs 4,000 crore towards the Musi project.

The project has also received the green light from the Central Government for the enhancement of the Gandhi Sarovar as part of the Musi initiative.

CM Reddy mentioned that Bapu Ghat was built at the meeting point of the Musi and Eesa rivers, where Mahatma Gandhi’s ashes were immersed.

“Once the DPR (Detailed Project Report) is ready, we will present it through PowerPoint to all the MLAs and invite their feedback,” the Chief Minister stated during the question hour.

He asserted that decisive actions have already been taken against the pollution affecting Osman Sagar and Himayat Sagar reservoirs attributed to drainage from affluent families’ farmhouses.

Recalling the city’s flooding in 1908, he noted that the Nizam government constructed the Osman Sagar and Himayat Sagar projects as a long-term remedy for flood issues. These reservoirs continue to serve the drinking needs of Hyderabad's residents, he remarked.

As part of the Musi project’s development, CM Reddy and his Cabinet members explored cities like London (focusing on the Thames River), New York, Japan, South Korea, and Singapore.

He emphasized that globally renowned cities have safeguarded their river basins. After examining successful river management in international cities, the government is formulating plans to guarantee clean water flows in the Musi River year-round.

CM Reddy pointed out that in Gujarat, around 60,000 families were relocated for the cleanup of the Sabarmati River. The Ganga River has also undergone cleaning, with a riverfront developed in Uttar Pradesh. He criticized opposition parties for hindering the progress of the Musi Project.

The CM highlighted the plight of residents in Nalgonda district due to escalating pollution in the Musi.

He informed the Assembly that consultancies have been appointed to formulate strategies for the Musi project, with development already underway at Gandhi Sarovar near Bapu Ghat.

A permanent solution to the pollution in Musi will also involve diverting water from the Godavari. “We plan to use 15 TMC of the 20 TMC for drinking water requirements and 5 TMC to maintain a steady flow of clean water in the Musi River,” he stated.

CM Reddy mentioned plans to enhance the ancient Shiva temple situated in the Musi river basin near Manchirevula, and to construct a gurudwara, mosque, and church in the Musi river basin to foster religious harmony.

He also noted that Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has agreed to allocate defence land for the construction of Gandhi Sarovar.

The CM firmly rejected claims from opposition parties branding him as a real estate broker, asserting that real estate is a legitimate industry, reminiscent of criticisms faced during the development of Hitech City.

“The animosity held by some individuals is far more perilous than the pollution in the Musi River. Why do they express disdain when I present the facts? They aim to obscure the truth from the public and block any discussions. Why does it disturb them when I share the details? Even their BRS MLAs are advocating for the cleanup of the Musi River,” he remarked, responding to an objection raised by BRS Deputy Leader Harish Rao.