Activists, the Greens call for a review of the Musi River project

Hyderabad: More than 100 activists, environmentalists and scientists from Telangana and other cities called for an immediate review of the Musi River Development Project. The National Forum for Urban Struggle (SHRAM) and the National Alliance of People’s Movements (NAPM) issued a joint statement alleging that the government was rushing the project to prioritize commercial interests over the needs of local communities and the health of the river.

The statement criticizes the rapid pace and demolition that have displaced low-income residents along the Musi. “Why is this project being rushed and demolishing the houses of low-income working people without even having a detailed project report (DPR), permits and rehabilitation policy,” activists asked, calling for “rejuvenation” not to lead to mass displacement, land grabbing or privatization.

Signatories include environmentalists such as Soumya Dutta and Medha Patkar, academics such as Professor Rama Melkote, and Telangana activists including Sajaya K and Venkat Reddy. The call was also supported by Rohit Prajapati and Professor Navdeep Mathur, who raised similar concerns about the Sabarmati Embankment project in Gujarat.

Activists demanded protection of the Musi’s natural flow by controlling pollution rather than encouraging commercial development. They called for an end to forced evictions and respect for residents’ rights to housing, livelihoods and participation in decision-making.

They said the Congress government should fulfill its promises of social justice and ensure that the project uplifts the local population and does not displace them.