RTI exposes unfinished planning for Musi River Project
HYDERABAD: A Right to Information (RTI) reply has revealed that crucial flood-level studies for the Musi River, essential for safe and lawful development, remain incomplete for the much-publicized Musi River Beautification Project.
Hyderabad-based RTI activist and Project Manager at yourti.in, Kareem Ansari, sought clarity on key aspects of the project, the Minimum Flood Level (MFL), Full Tank Level (FTL) of the Musi River, and the legally mandated buffer zones. The official response, dated December 5, 2025, shows that these safety and planning parameters are not yet finalized. The Musi Riverfront Development Corporation Limited (MRDCL) disclosed this in response to an RTI application.
The reply states that determining the Minimum Flood Level (MFL) and Full Tank Level (FTL) is underway as part of a broader hydrology study. MRDCL said a consultant is handling this for an Aggregate Master Plan. No completion date or public notification timeline was provided.
For Kareem Ansari, the lack of finalized flood levels is a major red flag. “These markings are not just technical details, they are lines that will decide the future of thousands of families living along the Musi,” he said.
Key flood-level data missing
The RTI query also sought clarity on the legally mandated construction-free buffer zone along the river. In response, the MRDCL provided copies of Government Orders which stipulates that a 50-meter buffer zone must be maintained from the river’s boundary within municipal and development authority limits. This zone is reserved as a recreational or green belt.
However, MRDCL stated it had granted no permissions for construction or encroachment in this buffer zone. It forwarded the question to five other authorities: the District Collectors of Hyderabad, Ranga Reddy, and Medchal-Malkajgiri, as well as the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA), and the Hyderabad Drainage Development Authority (HYDRAA), indicating that enforcement is their responsibility.
These details show a major gap in the basic planning for the project. The official boundary of the river, which sets the 50-metre buffer, cannot be decided until the MFL and FTL are known. “Our intention was to seek clarity and transparency, so that affected communities are properly informed and heard before any decisions are taken that could impact their homes and lives,” said Kareem Ansari.
