Hyderabad: Chief minister A Revanth Reddy on Friday directed officials to set up a “Musi Project Experience Centre” on Necklace road to showcase works, development, beautification and night economy plans under the Musi rejuvenation and riverfront development project.He said it should be opened to the public and officials must invite citizen feedback on the project at the centre.He reviewed the Musi Riverfront Development project at the MCRHRD Institute’s Bodhi Pavilion, focusing on the first phase, following the defence ministry’s recent permission to transfer 83 acres of defence land for the proposed Gandhi Sarovar project, part of the larger Musi rejuvenation plan.The CM said the state govt should itself relocate structures, utilities and other facilities of defence authorities on the 83 acres being acquired for Gandhi Sarovar.He directed that residents living in the Musi riverbed be provided double-bedroom houses before eviction. Those willing to give up land should be compensated through transferable development rights (TDR) or monetary payment, he said.The defence ministry has granted working permission to the Musi Riverfront Development Corporation Limited (MRDCL) to develop Gandhi Sarovar on 83 acres at the Artillery Centre, Golconda, under an equal value infrastructure (EVI) model, which includes upgrading Bapu Ghat.The 83 acres are valued at about Rs 533 crore, and MRDCL will develop equivalent infrastructure for military authorities on alternate land. The corporation must deposit Rs 533 crore within two months of handover. A joint survey by the state govt and local military authorities will demarcate the land.The state already has 63 acres of govt land and has issued acquisition notices for 40 acres of private land. With the defence land added, the Gandhi Sarovar project will span around 200 acres.Planned at Bapu Ghat, near Langar Houz, the project marks the confluence of the Musi and Esa rivers, where Mahatma Gandhi’s ashes were immersed. It will include a check dam, iconic gateway, Gandhi national museum, library, handloom centre and educational facilities showcasing Gandhi’s life and teachings.Officials were asked to expedite approvals and ensure minimal displacement during implementation in coordination with stakeholders and local communities for smooth execution of the riverfront works across all project phases and timelines strictly accordingly.
