Musi project may get cracking from next year

Hyderabad: The much-publicised Musi River Front Development Corporation (MRDC) would start only in the year end or early next year. The MRDC is still contemplating its strategies for the work to be started.

A few surveys have been conducted by the officials including MRDC Chairman Prem Singh Rathore some time ago. But the actual work on the project is yet to take off. State government wanted Musi Project to deliver good results without any legal tangles. The corporation was formed a few months ago and its office was inaugurated in August this year. However, except the post of chairman, there has not been any appointment. The corporation has not yet been fully formed.

State government has announced to raise Rs 1,500 crore and wanted to develop this as a tourism corridor. Activists and political parties have objected to the idea of river front development as presented by the government so far. While the activists argue that without removing the encroachments, State government cannot move ahead on this project; the government is firm to get it done anyhow.

The actual plan of the government is to develop the river front across Musi starting from Osman Sagar to Chaderghat and further covering at least 33 kms. It is to be noted that the northern catchment area of the river has been largely encroached. The only source of water in the river is overflowing Osman Sagar and Himayat Sagar and rain water.

Lubna Sarvat, a lake protection activist said, ``South and North catchment area is completely encroached thus stopping the water flow. Government does not have any action plan to maintain the rain water directly reaching into the river.”

While many have opposed the government’s proposal for river front development, it is learnt that many others and organisations have come up to support and work.

A senior official from the corporation said that many organisations have approached to share their expertise and support the government in this task once it is started.