Hyderabad: Musi Riverfront Project allegations escalated on Sunday after BRS leader Harish Rao accused the state government of advancing a real estate agenda under the guise of river rejuvenation.
The BRS Legislature Party Deputy Floor Leader visited families at Madhu Park Apartments who received eviction notices. He went there with MLAs Sabitha Indra Reddy, Sudheer Reddy and Madhavaram Krishna Rao, along with Rajendranagar in-charge Karthik Reddy. According to him, authorities were pressuring middle-class residents to vacate their homes in the name of the project.
Addressing the media, he claimed the initiative lacked a defined policy framework. Officials, he said, had neither prepared a Detailed Project Report nor finalised the Full Tank Level. In addition, he alleged that the government did not secure environmental clearances or conduct a social impact assessment. Despite this, authorities issued eviction notices, he added, and he questioned the legal basis for the action.
Musi Riverfront Project allegations focus on policy gaps
Recalling the previous BRS government’s approach, Harish Rao said the earlier administration concentrated on building Sewage Treatment Plants and drafting DPRs to bring Godavari water into the Musi. That plan, he argued, aimed to enhance Hyderabad’s image without displacing any family.
He further alleged that key decisions of the present Chief Minister stemmed from land interests. He cited alleged attempts to take over Central University land and to convert Pharma City into a “Fourth City”. Such moves, he said, strengthened Musi Riverfront Project allegations that prime land would benefit private players.
The BRS leader also questioned the government’s spending priorities. He asked how funds remained scarce for fee reimbursement, pensions and Rythu Bandhu payments while allocations continued for camp offices and contractors.
However, he clarified that the party does not oppose cleaning and rejuvenating the Musi river. Instead, it would resist demolition of poor and middle-class homes in the name of development and urged the government to prioritise sewage treatment and pollution control.
