Hyderabad: Senior BRS leader and former minister T. Harish Rao on Friday raised Harish Rao Musi questions to Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, demanding answers before the government presented details of the Musi project at a five-star hotel in Hyderabad.
Speaking to reporters, Harish Rao said the Bharat Rashtra Samithi did not oppose the rejuvenation of the Musi River. However, he alleged that the government was attempting “loot-ification” in the name of the project. He also claimed that the current plan threatened to displace thousands of poor families living along the river.
He said the BRS government under former Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao had earlier prepared plans to restore the river. According to him, the previous administration proposed 32 sewage treatment plants at an estimated cost of Rs.4,000 crore. He added that the government had also planned to divert water from the Godavari River to help cleanse the Musi.
Harish Rao Musi questions challenge government plans
Harish Rao said the government must clarify several aspects of the project before moving forward. He accused the administration of running the state with what he called “Tughlaq-style governance”.
He questioned why the project description kept changing between beautification, cleansing and rejuvenation. He also asked who authorized the demolition of houses in the Musi river catchment areas.
According to Harish Rao, the government had not explained how it would stop sewage entering the river. He asked how authorities planned to clean the Musi without halting sewage inflows from upstream areas such as Vikarabad.
He also alleged that the government had issued tenders worth Rs.1.5 lakh crore. At the same time, he said the administration repeatedly claimed that the state treasury was empty.
Harish Rao Musi questions focus on demolitions and DPR
The BRS leader strongly condemned the demolition of houses along the Musi river. He alleged that residents were being intimidated even though the government had not released a Detailed Project Report.
Harish Rao said the administration had also not announced any clear rehabilitation policy for displaced families. Therefore, he described the demolitions as “atrocious”.
He demanded that the Chief Minister first present the Detailed Project Report and explain the full project details. Only after such disclosure, he said, should the government proceed with further action on the Musi project.