Hyderabad: To control unplanned development in the Musi catchment areas, the Telangana govt has imposed development restrictions on the Musi river bank areas up to 100 metres from Himayatsagar and Osmansagar to Korremula village near the Outer Ring Road. In other words, no buildings or constructions will be allowed within 100 metres of the Musi river boundary, mainly to protect the river course and environs.
As per the municipal building rules, no development is allowed within 50 metres of rivers, major lakes or streams. Now, the state govt has imposed development restrictions between 50 metres and 100 metres on Musi river catchment areas.
The restrictions would be in place until a comprehensive master plan for the Musi and Esa rivers is finalised or cleared by a committee of officers. The state took up the Musi rejuvenation project last year and is planning various developmental works under public-private partnership (PPP), with a master plan being prepared by the consultant appointed by the govt.
“The govt observed there are unplanned developments happening on the riverbank and buffer zone. If not controlled effectively, such activities may endanger the river course,” the municipal administration department said in a GO issued on Wednesday.
A group of senior officials from different planning wings, such as the director of town and country planning, chief city planner of GHMC, and director (planning) from Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA), have suggested the development restrictions on Musi catchment areas to protect the river environs. If any permission needs to be given between 50 metres and 100 metres, senior officials, including Musi River Development Corporation Limited (MRDCL), should clear the permission.
“If any public infrastructure development is to be taken up within 100 metres from the river boundary (including buffer), such as new roads and bridges, etc., taken up by the govt or private firms engaged by the govt, the committee has to give the approval,” the govt said.
