Musi Rejuvenation project a real estate venture, admits Revanth

Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy defended the Musi River rejuvenation project, saying it would promote investments and employment through real estate development. He rejected allegations that the project targeted the poor and said the DPR would be discussed in the Assembly

Hyderabad: The cat is out of the bag now. A person, none other than the Chief Minister, A Revanth Reddy, has admitted that the River Musi Rejuvenation project was nothing short of a real estate initiative.

While making this clear, he also made a brazen attempt to defend his government’s plans to take up the project and sought to apportion the blame to the opposition parties, accusing them of unleashing false campaigns to mislead the people.

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Speaking at a meeting to unveil the River Musi Detailed Project Report (DPR), Revanth Reddy wondered why his government shouldn’t promote the real estate sector to secure investments and boost development. The Musi project was not against any sections and was not meant to take over properties of the poor. It was being planned for the next generation, he told the audience.

In his hour-long address after the Musi Riverfront Development Corporation Limited (MRDCL) managing director EV Narasimha Reddy’s presentation on the DPR, the Chief Minister maintained that real estate development would provide employment to thousands of workers.

If one Global Capability Centre had to be constructed, it would get investment, and why shouldn’t the government promote and indulge in real estate, he argued.

The State government was promoting medical tourism, pharma and IT sectors. Similarly, it is the responsibility of the government to promote real estate, he maintained.

He sought to send the message that his government was not working against the interests of the poor or joining hands with real estate companies for financial gains, but was attempting to develop Hyderabad as a financially strong city.

Strange was his argument when he asserted: “If any project will be taken up against the poor people’s interest, will any party come to power again? A few people are opposing the project with a simple reason that Congress will come to power again, and I will get fame and recognition.”

Revanth Reddy appeared to have been suffering from selective amnesia, as his speech totally disregarded the agitations launched by people in Lagacherla, Kancha Gachibowli or recently in Velugumatla. In all these instances of fierce public opposition, the government had to shelve or put on backburner the plans to acquire lands.

“We have not missed human touch anywhere. All those who are opposing the Musi project, will they live on the river banks? I will provide a container house with all facilities, and let them live there for three months. If we don’t act now, it cannot be done in future. Why can’t the intellectuals understand this?” Revanth Reddy argued.

Referring to the Musi project, he said the cost of the project’s section covering 21 kms was hardly Rs 6,500 crore to Rs 7,000 crore. Of this, the Gandhi Sarovar project constituted just two per cent of the total cost.

There were very few Chief Ministers who got recognition for their policies and envisaged growth and development. They inked their names in history by taking the right decisions, he said, asking, “Should we miss an opportunity to rewrite history?”

Earlier, the presentation made by the MRDCL MD gave an indication of the commercial structures and other facilities proposed after taking over the poor and middle-class people’s lands and properties.

The apprehensions of different sections about the real intention behind the Musi project came true as the presentation detailed the setting up of giant wheels, commercial establishments and other facilities on either side of the banks.

The Chief Minister maintained that the debate was focused on a few areas and on people residing in those places. “I too am sympathetic towards them, but unfortunately none was thinking about Nalgonda in the downstream of the River Musi,” he said.

“A few political leaders might benefit through a false campaign or personal gain. When something is being done for the universal good, the opposition may not want to cooperate, but they should not create hurdles. We will discuss the DPR in the Assembly and seek suggestions from all,” the Chief Minister said.

When Operation Sindoor was in progress, people complimented the Congress government for organising Miss World competitions successfully and safely. Earlier, people used to fly to Dubai, and now, due to war, they were coming back to Hyderabad as it was the safest place, he stressed.

“I appeal to the opposition parties to stop the conspiracy theories and come up with suggestions. If everyone wants to stop the project, let us not take it up. I don’t have any issues,” Revanth Reddy said.