₹ 1,500 cr to be raised for Musi river development.

The Musi Riverfront Development Corporation during the first meeting recently has approved raising of ₹ 1,500 crore for the project to be taken up in three phases with main focus on riverfront development and conservation.

The Government has agreed to stand as guarantee for raising the amount through loans from financial institutions. Negotiations with the banks have already been initiated and some banks have agreed in principle to extend credit, said Municipal Administration & Urban Development Secretary Navin Mittal.

Under the first phase, river reach from Osmansagar to Golnaka covering a length of 33 kms will be taken up. River cleaning, bank stabilization, river walkway, nature grove, bridges, rowing course and water pools are proposed under the riverfront development.

Sewer Mains, sluicegate at each nala outlet, 30 MLD sewage treatment plant (STP) at Hydershahkote, 6 MLD STP at Miralam and 70 MLD STP at Attapur have been proposed under river conservation along with 72 checkdams plus parking facilities at 15 places under the project.

The Government has allocated ₹500 crore for the project in this year’s budget while the Green Climate Fund and funds from the National River Conservation Directorate could also be sourced if necessary, he said.

Mr Mittal said that the project aims to make the riverfront as a dynamic and vibrant city level recreational, socio-cultural centre and also as a tourist destination. It also aims to create new city level green spaces along the river to enhance the lung space of the city. Besides, it will ensure optimum year round water is maintained and diverts dry weather flows of nalas (storm water drains) to reduce pollution in the river.

Board chairman Chairman Prem Singh Rathod, Finance secretary Sandeep Kumar Sulthania, HMDA Commissioner T. Chiranjeevulu, GHMC Commissioner B. Janardhan Reddy, TSTDC Managing Director Christina Zongthu, CDMA T.K. Sreedevi and others were present.

THE HINDU