KTR slams Congress over massive cost hike of Musi Project
Hyderabad: Taking a dig at the rising cost estimate for the Musi project, Bharat Rashtra Samithi(BRS) working president K T Rama Rao, said that during BRS tenure Musi project was started with Rs 16000 crores, now the cost is being escalated to a whopping Rs 1.5 lakhs crores.
Speaking in the assembly K T Rama Rao highlighted the increasing cost estimates for the Musi project. He said, “It is during the BRS tenure Musi project was envisioned with a cost of Rs 16,000 crores including a express highway. However the present government initially claimed the project would cost Rs 50,000 crores. Later the Tourism minister claims the project cost around Rs 70,000 crores and recently Telangana chief minister Anumula Revanth Reddy during an opening ceremony claimed that the project would cost Rs 1.5 lakh crores. Why has there been the escalation of costs for the Musi project?”
Further Rama Rao said during the BRS regime,100 percent sewerage treatment has been completed at a cost of Rs 3,866 crores and planned the rejuvenation, beautification, and development of the Musi River at an estimated cost of Rs 16,634 crores. This includes an expressway connecting West to East. He questioned the significant increase in project costs, raising doubts about the Congress government’s intentions.
KTR emphasized the need for transparency and accountability in managing public funds. He said, “ It’s people’s money and it is the responsibility of the present government to give clarity on why the escalations of the Musi project”.
It is pertinent to note that the government has decided to develop a 55 km stretch along the Musi River to create Amusement parks, Children’s water sports, Waterfalls, street vending zones,business areas, and shopping malls. The government has earmarked Rs. 1,000 crore for the project in the Vote-on-account budget for 2024-25.
