World’s Tallest Gandhi Statue to Rise at Musi River as Telangana Unveils Ambitious Rejuvenation Plan

Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Friday informed the State Legislative Assembly that the state government will install the world’s tallest statue of Mahatma Gandhi at Gandhi Sarovar (Bahu Ghat), Lunger House, as part of the ambitious Musi River rejuvenation project.

Replying to questions during Question Hour, the Chief Minister said Bapu Ghat holds immense historical significance as it is the confluence point of the Musi and Eesa rivers, where Mahatma Gandhi’s ashes were immersed.

Emphasising that human civilisation has always flourished along river basins, he traced Hyderabad’s water management legacy from the Kakatiyas to the Nizam era.

Revanth Reddy recalled that after the devastating 1908 floods, the Nizam government built Osman Sagar and Himayat Sagar as permanent solutions, which continue to meet Hyderabad’s drinking water needs. He said his government took firm action to stop pollution of these reservoirs, despite criticism.

The Chief Minister said the government studied riverfront development models in global cities such as London, New York, Japan, South Korea and Singapore, noting that all world-class cities protect their river basins.

Citing examples from the Sabarmati riverfront in Gujarat and the Ganga rejuvenation in Uttar Pradesh, he said his government was not opposed to such initiatives and was adopting similar best practices for the Musi.

Highlighting the severe pollution of the Musi, Revanth Reddy said industrial waste, animal carcasses and untreated sewage had caused serious health issues in downstream areas, particularly in Nalgonda district. He said officials were instructed to prepare detailed plans, with expert consultancies, to ensure clean water flow in the river.

The government plans to divert Godavari water to provide a permanent solution to the Musi problem, utilising 15 TMC for drinking water and 5 TMC to maintain continuous clean flow in the river.

The Chief Minister said the Asian Development Bank has agreed in principle to extend a Rs 4,000 crore loan for the project, while the Centre has also approved the development of Gandhi Sarovar. He added that union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has tentatively agreed to allot defence land for the project.

Revanth Reddy also announced plans for a 55-km elevated corridor from Gandipet to Gowrelli and asserted that the Old City, the original core of Hyderabad, would be transformed into one of the world’s finest urban centres.

Dismissing criticism, he said urbanisation would rise to 75 per cent in the next two decades and called for constructive suggestions from MLAs.

“Our resolve is to transform Hyderabad into a truly world-class city,” the Chief Minister said, adding that once the Detailed Project Report is ready, it would be shared with all MLAs for suggestions through a detailed presentation.