HYDERABAD: Accusing Union Minister of Coal and Mines G Kishan Reddy of actively obstructing Telangana’s development, Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Sunday alleged that the former had influenced Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to withhold permission for the proposed Pranahita-Chevella Project at Tummidihetti.
The chief minister alleged that the Union minister was creating hurdles in securing approvals and support from the Centre for key projects proposed by the state government.
“Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis is avoiding meetings with us to discuss the Pranahita-Chevella Project. Sources in the Maharashtra CMO have informed us that Kishan asked them not to grant permission for the project,” he claimed.
The chief minister was speaking after laying the foundation stone for development works worth `1,511 crore in the Malkajgiri Municipal Corporation (MMC) area at Uppal Bhagayath. The projects include construction of the MMC office complex at a cost of `98 crore on 10 acres, alternative roads through the AOC Centre at a cost of `960 crore, a six-lane flyover at the TKR College junction costing `416 crore and a 100-bed district hospital in Malkajgiri at a cost of `37.5 crore. He also launched the CURE-1 mobile application and inaugurated Khatri Bhavan and Vanjari Kula Atma Gourava Bhavan.
If RRR is developed, Hyderabad can compete with global cities, says CM
Addressing the gathering, Revanth asked Kishan to clarify whether he would secure permissions and funds from the Centre for the Musi Riverfront Development Project, Metro Rail expansion and other major infrastructure projects. Despite visiting Delhi nearly 50 times and meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi on five occasions, the Centre was not responding positively to Telangana’s proposals, he alleged.
“If the Regional Ring Road is fully developed, Hyderabad can compete with global cities such as Singapore, Tokyo and New York. People should understand who is creating obstacles and stopping these projects. Does Kishan Reddy not have the responsibility to bring permissions for Telangana’s development projects?” he asked.
The chief minister said the state government was currently implementing Phase-I of the Musi Riverfront Development Project from Gandipet to Gandhi Sarovar and announced that works under Phase-II, from Nagole to Gowrelli, would begin within 100 days.
‘Rapid growth of Hyd will generate thousands of jobs’
Drawing comparisons with projects undertaken elsewhere in the country, Revanth said the BJP had no objection to the development of the Sabarmati riverfront in Gujarat, the Yamuna rejuvenation project in Delhi or the Ganga rejuvenation programme in Uttar Pradesh.
“When we seek to develop the Musi river, objections are raised. If the Musi Riverfront Development Project is completed, Hyderabad will grow rapidly and generate employment opportunities for thousands of youth,” he said.
The chief minister warned that the state government would launch an agitation programme if the Centre failed to procure the paddy purchased by the state and grant pending project permissions by June 15.
Targeting Kishan personally, Revanth said the Union minister often claimed he was born in the BJP and would remain in the BJP throughout his life. He alleged that while Kishan belonged to the BJP, he frequently maintained close ties with leaders of other parties. “Even BJP workers say Kishan Reddy remains in the BJP but listens to BRS leaders. He follows what [BRS working president] KT Rama Rao says,” the chief minister alleged.
Demanding that the Centre procure all paddy purchased by the state, Revanth said Telangana farmers had produced 75 lakh metric tonnes of paddy, while the Centre had indicated it would procure only 50 lakh metric tonnes. “What should we do with the remaining 25 lakh metric tonnes? While the Centre procures 86% of the paddy produced in Punjab, it is not procuring even 50% of Telangana’s production,” he said.
Prioritising development of Malkajgiri segment
The chief minister also acknowledged that he had not been able to develop Malkajgiri to the extent expected by the people during his tenure as MP from the constituency. However, he said he had prioritised the area’s development after the Congress came to power in the state.
He said Hyderabad could emerge as a global city only through planned infrastructure development and noted that the government had unveiled the Telangana Rising-2047 vision document to guide future growth. As part of the initiative, the government had declared the 2,100 sq km area within the Outer Ring Road as the Core Urban Region Economy (CURE) zone and created three municipal corporations for administrative convenience.
“We did not create these corporations for political advantage. We created them to decentralise administration and improve governance. It is my responsibility to provide whatever funds are required for the development of Malkajgiri Municipal Corporation,” he said.
The chief minister also announced that a statue of former Uppal MLA Bandari Raji Reddy would be installed at Uppal Junction.
