BRS charges Congress with massive corruption in Musi Riverfront Development Project

At a press conference on Friday, BRS legislator P Kaushik Reddy raised concerns over the dramatic rise in project costs from Rs 16,000 crore to a staggering Rs 1.5 lakh crore, labeling it a blatant attempt to siphon public funds. He called for the State government to hold a public hearing on the project before proceeding further.

Hyderabad: The Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) has accused the Congress government of raising curtains to massive corruption and financial mismanagement under the guise of Musi Riverfront Development Project.

At a press cnferencenhere on Friday, BRS legislator P Kaushik Reddy questioned the sudden increase in project costs from Rs 16,000 crore to a staggering Rs 1.5 lakh crore, calling it a blatant attempt to siphon public funds. He demanded that the State government conduct a public hearing on the project, before taking any further steps.

He slammed the government for misplacing priorities and ignoring the pressing needs of the people. He warned that these moves will have severe repercussions from Hyderabad’s residents.

Addressing a press conference at Telangana Bhavan on Friday, Karthik Reddy said a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for Musi beautification was initially pegged at Rs 16,000 crore. “Now, suddenly, we hear estimates skyrocketing to Rs 1.5 lakh crore. Where did this massive figure come from? The Musi River barely carries water for two months a year. What is the point of a riverfront here?” he questioned.

He demanded the State government to release the waterflow records of Musi River, fix Minimum Flow Level (MFL), demarcate riverbed, and stop illegal constructions along the river banks.

Comparing the Musi project to the Centre’s Namami Gange initiative, the BRS leader pointed out that Rs 40,000 crore was spent on the 2,400 km-long Ganga River, while the Musi, a mere fraction in length, is seeing exorbitant proposals. He also accused the Congress government of pre-selecting contractors for the tenders and preparing tenders accordingly.

“The Musi Riverfront Development project has been initiated to fill the Congress leaders’ pockets, not serving the people. While HYDRA is being used for attention diversion, the Musi project is being used to divert funds,” he said. He vowed that the BRS will stand firm with the people and take action against the unjust demolitions under the guise of Musi beautification.