Hyderabad: Senior BRS leader T Harish Rao on Friday asked the Congress govt to spell out its plans for the proposed Rs 1.50 lakh crore Musi project and stop demolitions in the name of Musi beautification, even without submitting the detailed project report (DPR).He alleged that the govt was functioning in a confused and arbitrary manner. “At different times, the project is described as Musi beautification, Musi purification, and Musi rejuvenation, without any clarity on the actual objective,” Harish said.Addressing the media at Telangana Bhavan on Friday, the former minister said that the BRS had never opposed the revival or cleaning of the Musi river. However, he said the party strongly opposes what he described as “looting in the name of Musi beautification” and the demolition of houses that is rendering thousands of poor families homeless.“The govt’s gazette notification says 10,017 structures across 3,279 acres are proposed to be demolished along the Musi river. This could affect nearly one lakh people, raising serious concerns. Instead of first stopping sewage inflow into the Musi and building adequate treatment systems, the govt is bulldozing residential areas and demolishing houses,” he said.Harish also questioned the govt’s claim that the Asian Development Bank (ADB) had sanctioned Rs 4,100 crore for the project, pointing out that official communications from the bank indicate that the DPR has not yet been submitted and the loan has not been approved.He recalled that it was the previous BRS govt that first initiated plans to rejuvenate the Musi. The govt had proposed 32 STPs with an estimated cost of Rs 4,000 crore and had also prepared plans to bring Godavari water into the Musi to improve water flow and aid in cleaning the river.He said the govt repeatedly claims that the state treasury is empty when farmers demand Rythu Bharosa, students seek fee reimbursement, and retired employees ask for pension benefits. At the same time, the govt is proposing a Rs 1.5 lakh crore Musi project while spending huge amounts on events, advertisements, and luxury facilities.He warned that if the govt misled the assembly on this matter, the BRS would move a privilege motion. He also questioned the BJP, asking whether the party supports what he described as “real estate exploitation in the name of Musi” after reports that Union minister Rajnath Singh may be invited for the project’s foundation ceremony. Harish asked Union minister Kishan Reddy to clarify whether the BJP supports the demolitions taking place along the Musi.
