Medha Patkar urges Telangana CM to halt Musi project plan unveiling
HYDERABAD:Â Social activist Medha Patkar has urged Telangana chief minister A. Revanth Reddy to suspend the scheduled unveiling of detailed plans for the Musi River Rejuvenation Phase-1 project on March 13, 2026, and initiate wider public consultation before proceeding.
In a letter dated March 9, 2026, Patkar, representing the National Alliance of People’s Movements (NAPM), said the proposed event at Taj Krishna announcing the project plans does not adequately involve affected residents, environmental experts and civil society groups.
She wrote that the programme, organised by the Musi River Development Corporation Limited (MRDCL), has been presented as an engagement with stakeholders but excludes communities living along the river and organisations such as the Musi Jan Andolan.
Concerns over displacement and environmental impact
Patkar said the Musi Riverfront Development Project could have significant social and ecological implications due to its scale. She claimed that the project may displace thousands of households, including urban working-class families, middle-class residents and retired officials living along the riverbanks.
According to the letter, recent demolitions have affected around 300 homes. She said the alternative housing offered to residents has disrupted livelihoods and failed to meet the needs of joint families who earlier lived in larger houses built through lifetime savings.
The activist also raised concerns about the acquisition of land for related projects. She cited a February 11, 2026 notification for acquiring 10.34 acres in Bandlaguda Jagir village under the Gandhi Sarovar project, which she said has faced opposition from residents of Madhu Park Ridge Apartments.
She also referred to additional notifications for acquiring 43.48 acres in Rangareddy district and a request by the state government for transfer of 98.20 acres of defence land linked to the project.
Allegations of bypassing legal safeguards
Patkar alleged that the Musi Riverfront Development Project has been exempted from mandatory Social Impact Assessment provisions through Government Order Ms No. 921 dated February 16, 2026, issued by the Municipal Administration and Urban Development department.
She said the exemption was granted using amendments introduced by the Telangana government in 2017 to the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013.
The order reportedly states that around 10,000 structures and about 3,279 acres of land may be acquired for the project.
Patkar also questioned the environmental assessment process, alleging incomplete public consultations and inadequate disclosure of land details and environmental surveys.
Requests made to the chief minister
In the letter, Patkar asked the chief minister to suspend the March 13 unveiling event and release the draft detailed project report for the entire project in English, Telugu and Urdu for public review.
She also requested that the government hold consultations with affected communities and the Musi Jan Andolan, conduct public hearings and constitute an independent committee to review the project’s socio-ecological impact.
Among the demands listed were withdrawal of land acquisition notices linked to the project and repeal of the Telangana amendments made in 2017 to the 2013 land acquisition law.
Patkar said the rejuvenation of the Musi river should prioritise ecological restoration while minimising displacement of residents and ensuring transparency and public participation in decision-making.
