The Musi Riverfront Development, the flagship project of the Telangana government portrayed as a paradigm changer in terms of city’s development, gained a major step forward by way of Environmental Clearance.Phase-1 of the project has been granted prior Environmental Clearance on August 5 by the Telangana State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA), under the category of Area Development Project.Phase-1 comprises two components — Phase-1A, covering a 9.2-kilometre stretch from Himayatsagar to Bapu Ghat and Phase-1B, covering a 11.3 kilometre stretch from Osmansagar to Bapu Ghat.The Musi Riverfront Development Corporation has submitted the project proposals including plans for river training works, flood protection measures, sewerage and pollution abatement infrastructure, riverbank stabilisation, ecological restoration, riverfront roads, promenades, public spaces, and utility infrastructure.Trunk and intercepter sewers, pumping stations, sewage interception systems, integration with STPs, and waste water diversion and treatment were listed under Pollution Abatement, while not mentioning any measure to address industrial and pharma waste.Mobility infrastructure proposed includes 30 metre (100 feet) roads, service roads, pedestrian pathways, cycle tracks, bridges across the river, and utility corridors. Multi-level promenades, parks, public plazas, viewing decks, cultural spaces and others are part of the Public Realm Development, while Ecological Restoration entails riparian habitat restoration, native plantation, wetland development, green corridors, biodiversity enhancement, and nature based, climate resilient landscapes.Of the total 200 hectares of proposed development area, a major portion of over 64 hectares, is allocated for development of roads. Green spaces have been allocated close to 56 hectares, while embankment and river protection measures are proposed in over 52 hectares. Utilities will be provided in over 22 hectares, while built up area will be confined to two hectares as per the proposals. A total of 32,000 square metres of area is exclusively shown under vehicle parking.Of the 200 hectares, over 64 hectares is government land, close to 59 hectares is patta land, river area is 51 hectares, and over 12 hectares is Defence land. Approximately 639 permanent and temporary structures have been identified within the project influence area, the proposals mentioned, which will be acquired through the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013. About 2,660 trees are likely to be affected by the project. Published - August 06, 2026 08:48 pm IST