Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy urged residents on Sunday to back the Musi Rejuvenation project, a major effort to bring the long-neglected river back to life and shield Hyderabad from future floods caused by heavy rains.
Reddy made the call during the inauguration of the restored Batukamma Kunta Lake in Amberpet. He pointed out how even just two centimeters of rainfall now triggers widespread flooding in the city, highlighting the growing risks from climate change and sudden cloudbursts.
The state government, he added, is ramping up plans to bolster infrastructure and safeguard the environment. Reddy blamed past administrations for letting the Musi River turn into a massive dumping ground through years of neglect. Reviving it, he stressed, is crucial for the city’s survival.
“Our team is pushing ahead to protect water bodies and breathe new life into forgotten lakes and ponds as part of the Musi Rejuvenation project,” Reddy said. He called on everyone to join in, warning that even an hour of rain can submerge neighborhoods in the Musi catchment areas and lead to bigger natural disasters.
To help those affected, Reddy directed Hyderabad in-charge Minister Ponnam Prabhakar to visit the sites and draft proposals for rehabilitating low-income families in Amberpet’s Musi zones.
He also warned people against falling for scams by land mafias selling government properties at bargain prices. “The People’s Government stands with the poor—we know their struggles, unlike the opposition who treat poverty like a sightseeing trip,” Reddy remarked.
Reddy highlighted the role of the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA), created to guard water bodies and clear illegal encroachments. Despite early criticism, the agency pressed on. He showered praise on HYDRAA for removing obstacles around the Bathukamma Kunta Lake and restoring it fully.
Hundreds of women gathered nearby to celebrate Bathukamma, the traditional flower festival, right as the chief minister arrived.
HYDRAA completed the lake’s revival at a cost of Rs 7.15 crore. It’s one of six lakes the agency has rejuvenated so far, with a total investment of Rs 58.40 crore.
Earlier that day, Reddy laid the foundation stone for 39 new sewage treatment plants (STPs) across Hyderabad, a Rs 3,849.10 crore initiative aimed at improving wastewater management and supporting the broader push to protect the city’s rivers and lakes from pollution.
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