Hyderabad: Senior BRS leader and former minister T. Harish Rao on Friday raised Harish Rao Musi questions to Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy and demanded answers before the government presented details of the Musi project at a five-star hotel in Hyderabad.
Harish Rao said the Bharat Rashtra Samithi did not oppose the rejuvenation of the Musi River. However, he alleged that the government was attempting “loot-ification” in the name of the project.
He also warned that the current plan could displace thousands of poor families living along the riverbanks. Therefore, he urged the government to explain the full scope of the project before taking further action.
According to him, the previous BRS government had already prepared a plan to restore the river. He said that administration proposed 32 sewage treatment plants with an estimated cost of Rs.4,000 crore.
In addition, the earlier proposal included diverting water from the Godavari River to help cleanse the Musi.
Harish Rao Musi questions focus on project clarity
Harish Rao said the government must clarify several issues before moving ahead with the Musi project. Meanwhile, he accused the administration of running the state with what he called “Tughlaq-style governance”.
He questioned why the project description kept changing between beautification, cleansing and rejuvenation. He also asked who authorised the demolition of houses in Musi river catchment areas.
Furthermore, he said the government had not explained how it would stop sewage from entering the river. He asked how authorities planned to clean the Musi while sewage continued to flow from upstream areas such as Vikarabad.
Harish Rao also alleged that the government had issued tenders worth Rs.1.5 lakh crore. At the same time, he said ministers repeatedly claimed that the state treasury was empty.
The BRS leader strongly condemned the demolition of houses along the river. According to him, residents were being intimidated even though the government had not released a Detailed Project Report.
He also said the administration had not announced any rehabilitation policy for displaced families. Therefore, he described the demolitions as “atrocious”.
Harish Rao demanded that the Chief Minister first present the Detailed Project Report and disclose full project details. Only then, he said, should the government proceed with the Musi project.
