HYDERABAD: The Municipal Corporation of Hyderabad's grand plan to revive River Musi received a big boost with the Central Government clearing its Rs. 51.26 crores proposal submitted under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM).

The detailed project report which entails building road infrastructure, recreation and green space plus the heritage and conservation zone was given the go ahead at a meeting held in New Delhi on Tuesday, according to Commissioner Sanjay Jaju.

While the Centre will chip in with 35 per cent of the cost, the State has to invest 15 per cent and rest of 50 per cent will be borne by MCH. The river practically divides the capital into old and new city with the riverfront having an unplanned development.

As per the plan, Rs. 34.7 crores is to be spent on building east and west corridor roads to the existing north and south corridor roads for an even distribution of traffic flow. Existing access points from the old city will be increased to reduce travel time.

The entire riverfront is to be transformed into classy recreation and cultural centres using the natural flora and fauna, rocks, bridges, etc. Increased greenery, improving flood prone areas, pedestrian zones, access to riverbed, curtailing mosquito-breeding places and the likes will be taken up at an estimated cost of Rs. 8.76 crores.

A massive face-lift will be given to the several heritage monuments of the Qutb Shahi and Asaf Jahi periods located all along the river course but currently in a dilapidated condition to attract tourists.

And in order to maintain minimum levels of water in the river, two weirs - one at Salarjung Museum (1 metre) and another at the High Court (1.5 metre) will be constructed at a cost of Rs. 7.2 crore.

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