The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has moved closer to sanctioning a loan for the Musi River Rejuvenation Project after its team conducted extensive field visits and meetings in Hyderabad. An ADB delegation arrived in the city on the 19th of this month to review the Detailed Project Report (DPR) related to the river development initiative. For the first two days, bank representatives held detailed discussions with Musi River Development Corporation Limited (MRDCL) officials at the MRDCL office in Masbank, examining various aspects of the proposed project.
On Thursday, the ADB team conducted a comprehensive field inspection covering the river basin area from Gandipet to Bapu Ghat. During the visit, MRDCL officials provided detailed explanations about the 9 km river basin area planned for development in the first phase. The project includes construction of parks, roads, bridges, sports facilities, hotels and other infrastructure along the river corridor. ADB India Director Mio Oka and accompanying representatives expressed satisfaction with the project plans, and officials confirmed that the loan sanction is progressing positively. The first phase of the project is estimated to require approximately Rs. 4,100 crore.
However, the project faced opposition during the ADB team’s field visit. Members of Janandolan Sanstha, including Syed Bilal and Ruchit, met with ADB representatives at Bandlaguda Jagir on Thursday to voice their concerns. The organization members objected to the Musi revival project plan, expressing fears that thousands of people could be displaced and their homes demolished if the project is implemented as planned. The protesters raised concerns about the social impact of the large-scale development initiative on local residents.
Ruchit, a member of Janandolan Sanstha, stated that the ADB representatives agreed to hold a meeting with the organization on Friday to discuss their concerns. The ADB team’s visit to Hyderabad was scheduled to conclude on Friday afternoon. MRDCL has been given time to submit the complete Detailed Project Report to the bank for final review before the loan sanction process is completed.
