Hyderabad: The Musi rejuvenation project will provide lasting relief to nearly 40 lakh people affected by water pollution, Roads and Buildings Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy said on Saturday.
Speaking to the media after inaugurating development works in Hayathnagar, the Minister said the Musi rejuvenation project aimed to improve public health and environmental conditions in several affected areas.
He noted that residents in many locations, particularly in Nalgonda district, had long suffered due to contaminated water. According to him, prolonged exposure to polluted water had led to serious health issues, including kidney ailments and cancer.
Komatireddy urged critics to view the Musi rejuvenation project with empathy. He said Chief Minister Revanth Reddy had taken the initiative to restore the river for the benefit of future generations.
“The plight of nearly 40 lakh individuals suffering from polluted water must be viewed with compassion,” the Minister said.
Musi rejuvenation project aimed at long-term public health
Komatireddy said the Musi rejuvenation project should be seen in the context of national river restoration efforts. He compared the initiative with programmes to clean major rivers such as the Ganga and Yamuna.
He said the government recognised that around 10,000 families could be affected by the project. However, he assured that proper rehabilitation and alternative arrangements would be provided for them.
According to the Minister, the government was committed to balancing environmental restoration with social responsibility.
Infrastructure works announced alongside Musi rejuvenation project
Earlier, Komatireddy Venkat Reddy laid the foundation for widening the road from Saibaba Temple at Thorrur X Roads to ZEE School in Hayathnagar. The project will upgrade the road from two lanes to four lanes.
The work is estimated to cost ₹10 crore. Officials said the construction activities would begin on Monday.
The Minister said several road development projects were underway to ease increasing traffic congestion in rapidly expanding suburban areas. He noted that many people were moving to Hayathnagar from rural regions for education and employment.
Musi rejuvenation project linked to wider regional development
Komatireddy also announced plans for a double-decker corridor between LB Nagar and the Hayathnagar Radio Station. The proposed project is estimated to cost about ₹940 crore.
He said the State government had already allocated ₹200 crore towards the project. The corridor will include a Metro Rail line and a National Highway on the upper level.
Meanwhile, the lower level will include underpasses designed to ensure smooth local traffic movement.
The Minister said the infrastructure developments would accelerate growth in areas such as Hayathnagar, Ibrahimpatnam and LB Nagar along the Hyderabad–Vijayawada highway. According to him, these regions could see demand levels similar to Kokapet in the coming years.
He also said preparations were underway to expand the Hyderabad–Vijayawada National Highway to ten lanes. Tenders for the project were expected to be finalised next month after approvals from the central government.
Komatireddy appealed to opposition parties not to politicise development initiatives. He said the Musi rejuvenation project and other infrastructure works were focused on development and public welfare, with protecting citizens’ health remaining the government’s top priority.