Musi Rejuvenation Project faces transparency row
HYDERABAD: The state government’s much-touted Musi Rejuvenation project finds itself mired in a transparency storm. Recent Right to Information (RTI) replies from the Musi Riverfront Development Corporation Limited (MRDCL) have exposed that the project’s Detailed project Report(DPR) is still unfinished, even as officials publicly claim that funding and approvals are well underway, alleges RTI activists.
This inconsistency has raised concerns about transparency, particularly regarding the potential displacement of residents. Hyderabad based RTI Activist Kareen Ansari emphasized that, if implemented, the Musi Rejuvenation Project could bring significant benefits to Telangana, including improved environmental health, better flood management, enhanced urban infrastructure, and increased opportunities for recreation and tourism.
DPR “Under Preparation,” yet ADB loan reportedly sanctioned
The core of the issue lies in the status of the Detailed Project Report (DPR). In an RTI response dated October 18, 2025, to activist Kareem Ansari, the Musi Riverfront Development Corporation Limited (MRDCL) a special purpose vehicle(SPV) constituted for the preparation and execution of the Musi Riverfront and development project, stated that the “DPR is under preparation” for all queries regarding the concept proposal and the report itself. In another RTI response to Hyderabad based Social Activist Dr. Lubna Sarwath, MRDCL stated that “the DPR is under preparation and the same will be placed in the public domain upon finalization.”
“This answer does not align with several media reports, which quote government sources as saying the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has already approved a loan. This shows a clear gap between what is shared with the public and what is happening behind the scenes”, alleged Dr. Lubna Sarwath.
“This is how bad it is. The media reports details project getting approvals, but when I requested the DPR under the RTI, I was informed that it had yet to be finalized. So did the ADB and central government grant approval without a finalized DPR? What was actually presented to them?” questioned activist Lubna Sarwath.
Transparency questioned
MRDCL’s responses to questions about the project’s social impact were lacking in detail. When asked about potential displacement and land acquisition, the corporation stated that these details would be determined after the DPR is finalized. Requests for a project map received similar replies.
This lack of clarity has raised concerns about the project’s transparency and commitment to inclusive planning, especially for riverbank residents.
“Given that the Detailed Project Report (DPR) is still under preparation, it is essential from a governance and transparency perspective that all development details be made openly available to the public. The department should ensure that the DPR and subsequent project steps are published in the public domain in a step-by-step manner.” He advocated for transparency, as it would enable citizens to monitor the project’s progress, understand its potential impacts, and participate in informed public discourse.
Lubna Sarwath attended a public consultation on April 9, 2025, which highlighted the project’s lack of genuine public engagement. “What I witnessed was a room with just 5 or 6 activists and over 50 officers. It was supposed to be a consultation, but the sheer imbalance was telling,” she recounted.
Lubna added that she confronted officials, including then-Municipal Administration and Urban Development Prinicipal Secretary Dana Kishore and foreign consultants, at the April 9, 2025, consultation, questioning the need for international experts when local solutions are available. To ensure accountability, she filed an RTI for the meeting minutes, which have not been provided.
Beyond the procedural lapses, a fundamental philosophical debate surrounds the project. While public pressure led to changing the project’s name from “development” to “rejuvenation,” Lubna alleged this is merely semantics.
Lubna Sarwath calls for a move towards “naturalisation.” “Rejuvenate is not enough. We must ‘naturalise’ the river, restore its natural gradients, and its biodiversity,” she added. “We need mental peace, not more dancing lights, concrete, and light pollution. All the technology in the world cannot restore what a natural ecosystem provides. Until this core philosophy is fulfilled, everything is a sham.”
With the DPR still not finalized, important documents not shared, and the project’s goals being questioned, the Musi Rejuvenation project is struggling with credibility. Activist Sarwath says she will appeal the incomplete RTI replies.
