Musi River Development 

Musi Rejuvenation Initiative 

Overview & Vision

• Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy is spearheading a grand urban transformation under the “Telangana Raising 2047” agenda, aiming to revitalize Hyderabad’s Old City and restore its heritage through the Musi rejuvenation initiative (India Today, The News Minute).
  
  

• The plan includes creating an elevated corridor, injecting a night-time economy along the riverbank, and ensuring year-round water flow by diverting 20 tmcft of Godavari water via Osman Sagar and Himayat Sagar (The Hans India).
  
  

Funding & Scale

Current Government Allocation

• The state government has released ₹375 crore for the Musi Riverfront Development Corporation Limited (MRDCL) as part of a ₹1,500 crore budget for the FY 2025–26 (Deccan Chronicle).
  
  

• These funds are allocated toward beautification, pollution control, embankments, walkways, parks, cycling tracks, sewage treatment, and recreational spaces (Deccan Chronicle).
  
  

International Financing

• The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has provisionally agreed to finance ₹4,100 crore, targeting essential infrastructure such as roads, sewage diversion, and bridges. Disbursement is expected in phased tranches over two to three phases (The Times of India).
  
  

• The overall project could exceed ₹1 lakh crore in total worth, to be met through state funds, PPPs, and additional external financing (www.ndtv.com).
  
  

Project Components & Planning

DPR and Planning Consortium

• Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) are underway for three major components:
  
  

  1. East–West Corridor spanning 55 km from Narsingi to Godeelli.
     
     

  2. Riverfront Infrastructure & “Gandhi Sarovar” development at Bapu Ghat, covering 21 km in phases (Osmansagar to Bapughat – 12 km; Himayat Sagar to Bapughat – 9 km).
     
     

  3. Heritage Bridges: Construction of 11 heritage bridges across Musi, estimated at ₹1,000 crore (The New Indian Express).
     
     

• Additionally, a Trunk Interceptor Sewer network, spanning 55 km both sides of Musi and costing ₹3,100 crore, is planned to channel sewage to STPs before releasing treated water into the river (The New Indian Express).
  
  

• A consortium including Meinhardt, Cushman & Wakefield, RIOS, ZHA, and SOM is executing the DPR development; the master planning has already received ₹166.5 crore in approvals (India Today).
  
  

Urban Design Features

• Plans include an iconic “Gateway of Hyderabad” near Gandhi Sarovar on the ORR, envisioned to signify the beginning of the Musi River stretch. It will be accompanied by a monumental iconic tower, potentially among the tallest in the world, drawing comparisons to landmarks like the Charminar or the Arc de Triomphe (The News Minute).
  
  

• A new flyover will be constructed from Himayatsagar to Attapur, improving connectivity to the airport and Gandhi Sarovar area, aiding mobility and urban coherence (The News Minute).
  
  

Progress & Implementation

• Field surveys and inspections by MRDCL include assessments of Osman Sagar and Himayat Sagar reservoirs to prepare for water release and catchment management strategies (The Hans India).
  
  

• The momentum behind ground-level activity is increasing, including interventions in land zoning and infrastructure readiness.
  
  

Key Highlights at a Glance

Component

Details

Vision & Intervention

Elevated corridor, night economy, water diversion for year-round flow

State Funding

₹375 crore released in FY 2025–26 (part of ₹1,500 crore allocation)

ADB Support

₹4,100 crore in principle for core infrastructure components

DPR Coverage

East–West corridor, riverfront & Gandhi Sarovar, heritage bridges, sewer network

Urban Icons

Gateway of Hyderabad, iconic tower, improved connectivity infrastructure

Execution Partners

MRDCL with consortium (Meinhardt et al.) managing DPR & planning

Strategic Impact & Considerations

• The project supports urban flood control, ecological restoration, public recreation, and city beautification—all essential to Hyderabad’s growth.
  
  

• It also aligns with tourism and monumental architecture goals via gateways and towers.
  
  

• Critics have raised valid concerns over rehabilitation policies, ecological justice, and residents’ rights, due to displacement risks and planning opacity (The Times of India, Deccan Chronicle, The Times of India, The New Indian Express).