Hyderabad: Musi Jan Andolan questions Musi Riverfront project
HYDERABAD: Musi Jan Andolan (MJA), an independent citizens’ platform working to safeguard the Musi River and communities living along its banks, has raised objections to the proposed Musi Riverfront Project presented by the Telangana government.
The group released a preliminary response on March 14, 2026, after reviewing the PowerPoint presentation made by the Managing Director of Musi Riverfront Development Corporation Limited (MRDCL) and the special address by the Telangana Chief Minister.
Movement skips event citing democratic deficit
MJA said it decided not to attend the official unveiling of the “detailed project plans” for Musi River rejuvenation in person, citing a “severe democratic deficit”. The group said it followed the proceedings digitally to understand the government’s vision and the direction of the project.
The organisation said it supports river rejuvenation but argued that restoration must follow ecologically sound river-basin planning. It added that river restoration should not involve large-scale displacement or commercial riverfront development projects.
Pollution control must precede riverfront development
According to MJA, the government’s proposal contradicts basic principles of hydrology, ecology and sustainable river management.
The group said international examples cited during the presentation including London, Paris and Singapore had cleaned their rivers before developing public amenities along the banks.
“Constructing parks, walkways and tourism infrastructure will not clean the river,” the organisation said. “Industrial and municipal pollution must be stopped first. Without this, the Musi will remain polluted.”
It also criticised proposals such as pumping water from other rivers to maintain flows. MJA said such measures are energy-intensive and unsustainable, adding that a living river depends on natural rainfall, runoff and treated water.
Questions on displacement and project costs
The group also raised questions on the project’s cost estimates and the number of families likely to be displaced.
According to the presentation by MRDCL, the tentative development cost for Phase-1 of the project is ₹6,500–₹7,000 crore, excluding land acquisition and transfer of development rights (TDR). However, the organisation said MRDCL had earlier submitted an estimated cost of ₹5,641 crore for Phase-1 to the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA).
The group also disputed the Chief Minister’s claim that “hardly 10,000 families” live along the Musi River banks. It said documents submitted by MRDCL to the SEIAA indicate that 12,204 families would be displaced in Phase-1 alone.
Concerns over pollution strategy and flood management
MJA also questioned the government’s pollution control strategy. The Chief Minister acknowledged that industrial effluents polluting the Musi are affecting people in Nalgonda district.
However, the organisation said neither the MRDCL presentation nor the Chief Minister’s address outlined measures to stop industrial effluents from entering the river.
It said sewage treatment plants (STPs) can treat municipal waste but cannot treat toxic industrial pollutants, which require effluent treatment plants (ETPs).
The group also criticised the government’s explanation for floods in 2025. It said authorities blamed heavy rainfall alone, while residents alleged that reservoir water releases without adequate warning worsened flooding along the Musi.
MJA said such incidents raise questions about compliance with the Dam Safety Act, 2021, and proper dam management protocols.
Data centres, barrages and river ecology questioned
The organisation also questioned statements linking the Musi project with water supply for global data centres.
While the Chief Minister spoke of Hyderabad’s groundwater crisis, he also highlighted water requirements for data centres. MJA said this suggests the project may prioritise industrial water supply over ecological restoration.
The group also criticised plans to construct barrages to facilitate boating. It said such structures contradict the goal of restoring the river’s natural flow and floodplain ecosystem.
“Rivers are living entities,” the organisation said. “Treating them like canals for recreational infrastructure undermines ecological restoration.”
Call for review of Musi Riverfront project
MJA also criticised the government’s references to secularism and Mahatma Gandhi in support of the project. The group said displacement and large public expenditure cannot be justified through symbolic infrastructure.
The organisation said it had already shared concerns with the Deputy Chief Minister and cabinet ministers during a meeting on March 12.
It called for a comprehensive review of the Musi Riverfront Project, including a detailed assessment of its ecological, social and financial costs.
MJA also urged political parties in Telangana to engage with the issue substantively and support meaningful dialogue on river restoration.
The group said it remains committed to peaceful democratic engagement in defence of the Musi River and the communities living along its banks.
