While turning a blind eye to the increasing number of encroachments along the Musi river bed, the GHMC has prepared grand plans to seek Rs 752 crore funding from the Centre for the river front development. After having engaged a private consultant to prepare a detailed project report, the GHMC has come up with the plan. The civic body is sending this DPR to the Centre for funding under National River Conservation Project. The plan is to take up the project costing Rs 493 crore in Phase-I and over Rs 258 crore in Phase-II.
The GHMC and Water Board have already spent Rs 1,000 crore on abatement of pollution and revitalisation of the river and yet the Musi continues to raise a stink like an open drain. Experts say that unless the encroachments are stopped and all squatters are remo-ved, even this Rs 752 crore will go down the drain. “Encroachments take place in broad daylight, but neither the GHMC nor the district collectorate authorities have taken any action. What is shocking is that even big godowns and automobile repair sheds have come up along the river bed and they were even given electricity connections,” MIM MLA Mumtaz Ahmed Khan said.
BJP floor leader G. Kishan Reddy said huts are being erected along the river by land sharks. “These huts are being rented to the labour class and migrants for Rs 50 to Rs 150 rent per day. It has become a business. If the entire river bed is dotted with encroachments, there would be no place left for beautification,” he said. A senior GHMC official said the government will launch a drive to remove all encroachments along the Musi soon, as Maximum Flood Flow Level of the river is being demarcated.