HYDERABAD: The Government is contemplating commercial exploitation of the vacant land available at Nagole in a public-private partnership and away from the Musi riverbed to partly finance the proposed plan for Musi Riverfront Development.

The project is expected to cost over Rs. 900 crores and the implementation strategy is divided into three precincts - ecological, heritage and metropolitan. Only restricted constructions will be allowed on the riverbed with large constructions being a strict no.

The former Director of Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University's School of Planning and Architecture (SPA), Rama Seshu, told environmentalists, non-governmental agencies and others that people settled on the river side would be rehabilitated "not too far away" as there was enough open space.

He was speaking at a workshop on `Save Musi campaign' organised on Wednesday by the Municipal Corporation of Hyderabad (MCH) in association with the SPA. Religious structures on the riverbed or sides could also be shifted to the sides while steps would be taken to ensure there was no further expansion of existing graveyards, he said.

Mr. Seshu, who was associated with the perspective plan for a comprehensive development strategy for the Musi since 1999, said it was an aesthetic project than a commercial one.

The Principal Secretary of Municipal Administration and Urban Development Department, S.P. Singh, said though there were land and resettlement issues, his department would coordinate the project in association with MCH, HUDA, HMWSSB, Department of Archaeology and Collectors of Hyderabad and Ranga Reddy districts.

The Government was "excited" about the project. Though rough contours were ready, opinions of a cross-section of people were being taken.

This project would be in tandem with the Musi river conservation project of the Centre involving setting up effluent treatment plants.

Mr. Singh said the treated water would be used in maintaining water retention points at strategic locations.

The MCH Commissioner, Sanjay Jaju, said the major objectives were to clean the river, develop it as tourist spot, create green space and facilitate economic development and social integration.

About 600 million litres of untreated sewage was flowing daily into the Musi from 65 stormwater drains, he pointed out. Intercepting sewers connecting them would be built in two phases while five check dams would be built to retain water. The Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board would be roped in to ensure that industrial effluents were not let into the river, said Mr. Jaju.

Three distinct precincts are mooted: ecological - Tippu Khan bridge to Puranapul (7.28 km), Heritage - Puranapul to Chaderghat bridge (3.98 km) and Metropolitan - Chaderghat bridge to Nagole bridge (8.64 km). He said a cell would be started at the SPA for taking in suggestions.

The HUDA Vice-Chairman, Jayesh Ranjan, said the HUDA would help in technical inputs, restoration of heritage structures and catchment area protection in the proposed Musi Special Area Development Authority.

Participants suggested consultations with the heritage committee, revive urban arts commission, preventing air and water pollution, etc.

The SPA Director, Padmavati, proposed a vote of thanks.

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