Telangana CM Assures Housing for Displaced in Musi River Rejuvenation Project
Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has praised Defence Minister Rajnath Singh for agreeing to provide more than 100 acres of land at Bapu Gandhi Sarovar in Hyderabad, currently used as a training ground for Agniveers. The training camp is planned to be relocated to facilitate the Musi River rejuvenation project.
Speaking at a presentation on the River Musi Rejuvenation (Phase-I) held at Taj Krishna, Hyderabad, the Chief Minister said, “He has prepared to give 100-plus acres in Bapu Gandhi Sarovar. Agniveers are training there. They have decided to shift their Agniveer training camp to some other place, and they are giving a hundred plus acres for this Gandhian ideology, where the Musi is going to come up.”
Addressing concerns regarding the rehabilitation of people affected by the project, Reddy assured that suitable locations within their Assembly constituencies would be identified for their relocation, with homes constructed nearby. “All these people of ours here make a living by doing odd jobs; if they are relocated far away, it will become very difficult for us – it will cause us great hardship. We took their suggestions into account. In the coming days, we will identify suitable locations within that Assembly constituency–specifically in the areas adjacent to the Musi River–and we will find land and construct homes for those people,” he stated.
The Chief Minister emphasised that displaced residents would not be abandoned, highlighting the government’s commitment to comprehensive support, adding, “Why would we abandon them on the streets? We are their family. It was because of their support that I became the Chief Minister. I did not become Chief Minister to cause them sorrow or to inflict harm upon them. They are my people. They offered their prayers for me. That is precisely why, within just two years, I have achieved success as Chief Minister.”
Reddy also addressed his connection with the poor and his administration’s readiness to assist them. He said, “Why on earth would I attempt to cause them harm? What enmity do I have with them? What grievance could I possibly hold against the poor? I do not reside in grand bungalows or sprawling farmhouses. I, too, move around among the public, and I always live in close communion with the poor. I can truly understand their hardships and the very beat of their hearts. My entire administrative machinery stands ready to assist them. Our MLAs, our ministers, and our officers–everyone is prepared. Whatever their needs may be, we will ensure they are met.”
Responding to criticism concerning a focus on real estate projects, Reddy stated that such initiatives would generate employment for hundreds of thousands and attract investment to Telangana. “People say Reddy only thinks about real estate. Yes, I definitely think about it. Lakhs of workers will get jobs. Investment will come. Why not do real estate, pharma, IT, tourism? All this is the government’s responsibility. These people forget. My thinking is with the poor,” he said.
The Musi River rejuvenation project is a key initiative by the Telangana government aimed at restoring the river’s ecosystem, enhancing flood management, and developing public spaces along its banks. The Gandhi Sarovar project is expected to be one of the initial components of the broader riverfront development plan.
