Reviving the Lifeline: A New Chapter for the Musi River

Telangana is set to begin the first phase of its ambitious Musi River rejuvenation project in the first week of April, officials have confirmed. The initial phase will focus on two stretches of the river — Osman Sagar to Bapu Ghat (11 km) and Himayat Sagar to Bapu Ghat (9 km).

A major highlight of the project will be the development of Gandhi Sarovar near Bapu Ghat across around 200 acres. The site is planned as a world-class experiential centre dedicated to promoting the philosophy and legacy of Mahatma Gandhi. The project was originally scheduled to begin in February, the month when Gandhi’s ashes were immersed at Bapu Ghat in 1948, but preparatory work delayed the launch. The state government plans to invite Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to lay the foundation stone.

The Musi Riverfront Development Corporation Limited (MRDCL) has completed the detailed project report and hydrological studies, and funding from the Asian Development Bank has received in-principle approval, to be released in phases. Key infrastructure works in Phase I will include trunk sewer lines, stormwater drains, water-retention structures, weirs, and barrages at select locations.

The Gandhi Sarovar complex will include a handloom promotion centre, exhibition spaces for local products, a meditation village, public recreation areas, and visitor ghats. The project requires around 300 acres of land, including defence land, private patta land, and government land. Authorities have identified around 1,400 structures on the private land that will need to be addressed.

The 55-km Musi river stretch has been divided into five zones for rejuvenation. Phase I covers Zone 1, while the remaining zones extend from Bapu Ghat to Nagole and further to Gaurelli near the Outer Ring Road. To prevent untreated sewage from entering the river, 62 sewage treatment plants are planned along the stretch, with treated water to be reused for landscaping and industrial purposes.

Phase I will also include river cleaning, removal of vegetation and debris, riverbed profiling, flood-mitigation walls, slope stabilisation, and construction of a four-lane road on one bank and a two-lane road on the other. The Gandhi Sarovar centrepiece will feature a 123-ft statue of Mahatma Gandhi — set to be the tallest in India — along with a museum of national significance and a knowledge hub promoting Gandhian ideals.

The first phase marks a key step in Telangana’s long-term plan to restore the Musi River, improve urban infrastructure, and create a cultural and environmental landmark for the city.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.