Telangana initiates land acquisition for Musi River Project

The Telangana government has taken a significant step forward in the ambitious Musi River Rejuvenation Project by commencing the land acquisition process. The Musi River Development Corporation Limited (MRDCL) issued official notifications, targeting over 50 acres of land in the initial phases to revitalize the polluted Musi River and transform it into a vibrant urban asset.

The project, spanning approximately 55 kilometers from Gandipet to Gourelli, covers 14 mandals and 46 villages across Hyderabad, Rangareddy, and Medchal-Malkajgiri districts. In the first phase (A1), land acquisition focuses on a 9.2 km stretch from Himayat Sagar to Gandhi Sarovar, while Phase A2 covers an 11.8 km segment from Osman Sagar to Gandhi Sarovar. Key areas include Golconda Mandal in Hyderabad district and Gandipet Mandal in Rangareddy district, with detailed survey numbers and village lists released by MRDCL.

Landowners have been instructed to submit essential documents, including pattas, Aadhaar cards, and bank details, to facilitate the process. Compensation will be provided based on current market values, in line with the Land Acquisition Act, 2013. Any objections must be raised in writing within the stipulated deadline, ensuring transparency and fairness.

It may be mentioned here that to bolster the initiative, the government is also reclaiming 734.07 acres of land along the river for transfer to MRDCL. This includes allocations from institutions such as the Telangana State Engineering Research Laboratory (128.39 acres), Water and Land Management Training and Research Institute (WALAMTARI, 219.09 acres), Indian Institute of Public Health (41.27 acres), and Extension Training Centre (VDOTC, 99.05 acres). Additional lands in areas like Himayathsagar, Kismathpur in Gandipet Mandal, Premavathipet and Budvel in Rajendranagar Mandal, and Kothwalguda in Shamshabad Mandal—encompassing HMDA Eco Park and Tourism Department holdings—will be repurposed. Current landholders will receive alternative plots in HMDA layouts at Shamshabad and Future City, overseen by the Chief Commissioner of Land Administration and Rangareddy District Collector. The process adheres to the AP Reorganisation Act, 2014, and relevant regulations, pending legal resolutions.

The overarching goal of the Musi Riverfront Development Project is to purify the river, establish tourism centers, gardens, and international-standard infrastructure on both banks. By maintaining water flow, reducing flood risks, and creating job opportunities, the project aims to turn the urban-affected Musi into a major tourist attraction. With land acquisition accelerated, fieldwork and construction are set to commence soon, marking a new era for sustainable development in Telangana.