Land acquisition process begins for Musi Riverfront Development

The government has stepped up its efforts towards property acquisition for the Musi Riverfront Development project, by issuing notifications for the land owners.

Multiple land acquisition notices were published in the past few days, for the stretch between Himayatsagar and Bapughat and between Osmansagar and Bapughat, and also for the Gandhi Sarovar project which envisages the world’s tallest Mahatma Gandhi statue at the confluence of Esi and Musi rivers where Bapuji’s ashes were immersed.

On February 10, the Musi Riverfront Development Corporation Limited has issued a notification inviting property owners on both sides of the 9.2 kilometre stretch of Esi river between Himayatsagar and Gandhi Sarovar and the 11.8 kilometre stretch of Musi river between Osmansagar and Gandhi Sarovar to approach the authorities for voluntary surrender of land in exchange for transferable development rights (TDRs).

A large number of survey numbers in areas such as Kismatpur, Hyderguda, Bandlaguda Jagir, Budvel, Upparpally, Gandipet, Narsingi, Manchirevula, Ibrahimbagh, Khila Mohammed Nagar, Gandhamguda, Hydershakote, and others were mentioned in the notification.

Two more notifications by the Revenue Divisional Officer, Rajendra Nagar, mentioned several survey numbers which have been listed for acquisition in Kismatpur village and Bandlaguda Jagir in Gandipet mandal. A total extent of 29 acres is set to be acquired from these two villages alone.

It is also mentioned that a gazette notification had already been issued exempting the project from the Social Impact Assessment, and food security provisions of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013.

The gazette notification, dated December 16, 2025, put the extent to be acquired as 3,279 acres, and the number of properties to be acquired at 10,017 for the total Musi project encompassing 55 kilometres of its stretch through the city.

Officials under the condition of anonymity said land acquisition is in progress for Gandhi Sarovar project as well as to free the Maximum Flood Level and buffer areas of the river flows. The government has marked 50 metres on both sides of the MFL as the buffer.