The Musi Rejuvenation Project, initially planned by the BRS Government, has taken a dramatic turn under the Congress rule, sparking concerns of a mega scam. The project, designed to rejuvenate, beautify, and develop the Musi River, was originally estimated to cost Rs 16,634 crore.
Earlier, the project earmarked Rs. 8,973 crore for the East-West elevated corridor, Rs. 1,250 crore for linking the Godavari River from Kondapochamma to Osman Sagar (Gandipet), Rs. 3,866 crore for the installation of 36 sewage treatment plants, Rs. 2,000 crore for river beautification works, and Rs. 545 crore for the construction of 14 bridges across the river.
Under the BRS regime, the project was meticulously planned and initiated under the supervision of Municipal Administration Minister KTR. Proposals were solicited from internationally reputed design consultants, and significant progress was made, particularly in the installation of the crucial sewage treatment plants.
However, the project took an unexpected turn when the Revanth Government assumed office. In a controversial move, the new administration unilaterally increased the project’s cost to a staggering Rs. 58,000 crore. This 350% escalation, without any changes to the project’s scope or components, raised serious concerns about potential cost inflation for kickbacks.
As if this wasn’t enough, Minister Jupally Krishna Rao soon announced another revision, bringing the estimated cost to Rs. 70,000 crore. The most shocking development came last week when Chief Minister Revanth Reddy declared a further revised project cost of Rs. 1,50,000 crore. This near tenfold increase in just six months is unprecedented and has fueled suspicions of a brewing mega scam.
The Musi Rejuvenation Project, initially envisioned as a transformative initiative for the river and its surroundings, has now become a symbol of political controversy and alleged corruption. The exponential cost escalation, without any corresponding changes in the project’s scope, demands thorough investigation and accountability.