No going back on River Musi rejuvenation, says Sridhar Babu

IT Minister D. Sridhar Babu reaffirmed the Congress government’s commitment to the River Musi rejuvenation project despite objections. Speaking at an urban planning conference, he said Telangana would emerge as a model in sustainability, stressing climate-resilient cities and intergenerational justice.

Hyderabad: Despite concerns raised by various sections, including oustees, IT Minister D Sridhar Babu made it clear that the Congress government would go ahead with the River Musi rejuvenation project, asserting there was no question of going back.

“Whenever a good initiative is taken up, there will always be forces that try to obstruct it. The same applies to the Musi project. Considering the requirements of future generations, we will complete this mission,” Sridhar Babu said.

---

Speaking at the South Zone Conference of the Institute of Town Planners India (ITPI) here on Saturday, the Minister said Telangana would emerge as a role model for other States in water resource conservation.

He stressed that urban planning formed the foundation of economic prosperity and that real development must go hand in hand with environmental sustainability.

“Constructing buildings alone does not constitute growth. Every policy we frame, every forest we protect, every river we restore, and every livelihood we create are acts of intergenerational justice,” he said.

The Minister noted that Telangana had already set national benchmarks in urban greenery expansion, carbon-neutral growth, water conservation and sustainable transport.

He underlined the role of technology in designing climate-resilient cities and called for comprehensive planning that addressed climate change, urban flooding, pollution, groundwater depletion, shrinking green cover and rapid urbanisation.