Hyderabad, Mar 8 (TNT): Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, on Sunday said he would make a PowerPoint presentation on the proposed rejuvenation of the Musi River on March 13 to address apprehensions regarding displacement, rehabilitation and the government’s plans to develop the riverfront into a major economic hub.
Speaking at the International Women’s Day celebrations here, the Chief Minister criticised opposition parties for allegedly obstructing the project for political gains.
He said the government was ready to provide proper compensation and rehabilitation to people displaced under the project.
Revanth Reddy said that all buildings located within the 50-metre buffer zone of the Musi river have zero value, as construction in the buffer area is prohibited.
He said the government had invited residents for talks to resolve issues related to removal of structures in the buffer zone.
The Chief Minister said the government had proposed to allot seven acres of land and provide financial support to construct apartments for the affected families. However, the issue was being politicised by the opposition, he alleged.
Referring to other riverfront developments, the Chief Minister said nearly 10,000 families were displaced during the development of the Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad, but they did not receive proper facilities.
He also mentioned riverfront projects along the Yamuna River in Delhi and the Ganga River in Uttar Pradesh, questioning why the Musi project was being opposed.
The Chief Minister also defended the proposal to spend ₹200 crore on the Mahatma Gandhi Knowledge Centre, saying there was nothing wrong in investing in knowledge infrastructure.
Warning about rising pollution levels, Revanth Reddy said Hyderabad was currently in the orange zone and could slip into the red zone like Delhi if preventive measures were not taken.
To curb pollution, he said 2,500 diesel buses of the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation operating in Hyderabad would be shifted to districts by December and replaced with electric buses.
He also announced that electric scooties would soon be provided to college girls, while the government had already introduced zero tax on electric vehicles.
The Chief Minister said efforts were under way to develop Hyderabad into a global city capable of competing with New York, Tokyo and cities in South Korea, while industries were being gradually shifted outside the Outer Ring Road.
Highlighting women empowerment initiatives, Revanth Reddy said discrimination against women continued to exist in society, including in developed countries like the United States.
He said the state government was giving priority to women officers in the appointment of district collectors, superintendents of police and other key posts.
Listing measures taken by the government, he said women were being empowered through schemes such as free travel in RTC buses, promotion of self-help groups, and marketing support for their products through an agreement with Amazon.
The Chief Minister also said the government would soon establish a platform to receive complaints against false propaganda on social media.
The government was considering the allotment of housing sites for journalists and the development of a journalists’ colony in the proposed Fourth City area near Hyderabad, the CM added.
TNT TS
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