Environmental concerns grow over proposed bridge across Mir Alam Tank

Environmentalists and activists have raised concerns over MRDCL’s plan to build a conventional bridge across the historic Mir Alam Tank, warning that multiple pillars and ongoing construction activity could cause serious ecological damage to the centuries-old water body.

Hyderabad: Amid concerns from environmentalists and social activists, the Musi River Development Corporation Limited (MRDCL) is gearing up to build a conventional bridge with 50 pillars across the centuries-old Mir Alam tank. Objections have been raised at the proposed construction by concerned citizens, citing the impact on the water body by the MRDCL’s conventional methodology of putting scores of pillars in the water body.

The previous BRS government in the year 2021 had proposed a cable-stayed bridge to protect the Mir Alam Tank environment and fish wealth, but the present Congress government has preferred to build a conventional bridge, which many say could pose a threat to the water body.

---

A large drilling machine, heavy trucks and earth movers (JCBs) have been deployed at the tank, and tons of soil are being dumped. A BT road was also laid to reach the drilling machine and other equipment to build concrete pillars. The proposed bridge works are being taken up with an estimated budget of Rs 300 crore.

The initial blueprint for the bridge has 50 pillars and their numbers could increase up to 80 pillars as the work progresses, officials associated with the project said. The bridge construction is expected to be completed within 24 months and be operational by January 2028.

Environmentalist Lubna Sarwath describes the way the project is taken up as a matter of grave environmental urgency. She adds, “It’s scientific impropriety, hydrological disruption, ecological danger, statutory non-compliance, and administrative failure, arising from the unauthorised formation of a temporary bund/access road by indiscriminate dumping of soil, debris, and filler materials directly into Mir Alam Tank during the execution of the Iconic Bridge under the Musi Riverfront Development Project.”

She demanded the Chief Minister, A Revanth Reddy, MA&UD Principal Secretary, Ilambarithi, and MRDCL authorities to take immediate corrective measures, prevent irreversible ecological damage, and ensure institutional accountability for the upcoming bridge across the tank.

History of Mir Alam Tank:

Mir Alam Tank, located south of the River Musi, was built by Diwan Mir Alam, a prominent nobleman and the Prime Minister (Diwan) of Hyderabad State from 1804 to 1808 during the reign of Sikander Jah, the third Nizam (1803-1829), with funds from the Mysore war.

Once, the tank was the main source of drinking water for Hyderabad. The construction began in July 1804 and was completed in two years.