In the early 20th century, the devastating flood of September 28, 1908, ravaged Hyderabad, leaving death and destruction in its wake. The calamity prompted Nizam Osman Ali Khan to establish the ‘City Improvement Board’ (CIB) to reconstruct and rejuvenate the city. This endeavour was not only about repairing the damage but also about addressing urban congestion and improving health conditions amidst the epidemics that followed the flood. The CIB’s mission of *Araish-e-Baldia* or the beautification of the city led to large-scale slum clearances and resettlements.

Today, history seems to be repeating itself along the Musi riverbed, where survey teams from the Revenue and Irrigation departments, alongside civic officials, are marking houses for demolition in Chaderghat, Yakutpura, Langar Houz, and Imliban. The goal? To reclaim the river’s banks and transform it into a vibrant urban space with parks, plazas, cycle tracks, and recreational zones.

The challenges faced by the Musi Riverfront Development Project bear striking similarities to those encountered by the CIB over a century ago. During the CIB’s campaign, thousands of families living along the riverbanks were relocated to newly constructed housing in the northern part of the city, designed according to modern sanitation principles. The same approach is being adopted today: affected families will be resettled in pre-built 2BHK units as part of a state plan to provide alternative accommodation.

“Despite the large-scale demolitions, the Nizam-era project preserved the historic essence of the city,” notes historian Sajjad Shahid, who has extensively studied the CIB’s role in Hyderabad’s development. “The current government, led by Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, is taking a bold step that could redefine the city’s urban character. It’s a monumental task, but if successful, it will be beneficial for Hyderabad’s future.”

The need for such bold urban initiatives is not new. In a 1930 report, renowned engineer Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya advocated for more open spaces and recreational areas in Hyderabad. “It is necessary to create more gardens, parks, and open spaces to provide playgrounds for children and areas of recreation for the public,” he wrote.

The modern iteration of this vision is encapsulated in the Musi Riverfront Development Plan. According to the Musi Riverfront Development Corporation Limited’s Expression of Interest document, the project aims to create “people’s plazas, green spaces, hawker zones, bridges, tourist and recreational areas, sports facilities, parking areas, and hospitality infrastructure” to transform the riverfront into a lively urban space that connects the people to the river.

As the city moves forward with this ambitious project, it’s clear that the legacy of urban transformation, first set in motion over a century ago, still drives Hyderabad’s quest for a better, more liveable future. (The Hindu)