CM unveils Rs 1,674 cr projects, pledges global city push for Hyd

Hyderabad: Chief minister A Revanth Reddy on Monday unveiled a sweeping development agenda for Hyderabad and its expanding suburbs, announcing that an international bus terminal will be built on 100 acres at Gajularamaram with work set to begin within three months. He promised to transform Cyberabad Municipal Corporation (CMC) limits, Greater Hyderabad, and the state over the next 24 months, urging political rivals to rise above partisan battles and cooperate for growth.Addressing a public meeting at Miyapur after laying foundation stones for infrastructure projects worth Rs 1,674 crore in CMC limits, Revanth appealed to Union minister G Kishan Reddy and former CM K Chandrasekhar Rao not to obstruct development "with their lies, corruption and arrogance." He said Cyberabad has the potential to become "another Silicon Valley" and called for constructive suggestions from the BJP and BRS."If not, I challenge BJP and BRS to come for a debate in the state assembly on the achievements and failures of 10 years of BRS rule, 12 years of the Modi govt at the Centre, and 30 months of Congress governance in Telangana," Revanth declared.The CM has been on a whirlwind tour of the core urban region economy (CURE) area — comprising three civic bodies — laying foundation stones for major projects. On Sunday, he launched Rs 1,511 crore works in Malkajgiri limits, followed by Monday's Rs 1,674 crore in CMC. On Tuesday, he will flag off hundreds of buses at Parade Grounds in Secunderabad for self-help group women. Elections to the three urban local bodies in the CURE area are due later this year.Revanth explained that the three corporations were created to ensure systematic development and meet the needs of a rapidly growing city, which sees a 3% annual population increase."Cyberabad municipal area contributes over 16% of India's total IT exports, valued at 60% of the country's IT output. The metro rail will be expanded from Raidurg to Neopolis, flyovers and elevated corridors will be constructed. Let's develop the city rising above political agendas," he said.He launched a scathing attack on BJP MPs Konda Vishweshwar Reddy (Chevella), Eatala Rajender (Malkajgiri), Kishan Reddy (Secunderabad) and M Raghunandan Rao (Medak), accusing them of failing to secure approvals for the Regional Ring Road, central funding for additional Godavari waters, and the Musi rejuvenation project. "They behave like ‘ghulams' (slaves) to Gujarat," he charged."Kishan Reddy is a Union minister, who is mainly responsible for blocking approval of projects and central funding to Telangana. Every time I go to Delhi and meet the PM and Union ministers, Kishan Reddy goes after three days and tells them not to approve anything as it would give credit to the Congress govt. It is Kishan Reddy who told the office of Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis not to give time for CM-level talks on the Tummidihatti barrage issue," Revanth alleged.He warned that BJP will "bite the dust" in the next elections if its leaders continue to act against Telangana's interests. Stressing that boasting about a ‘global city' is not enough, he outlined concrete plans. "Under the master plan, we are taking up the second phase of the metro rail and constructing one lakh houses for LIG and MIG sections in the city limits. On the lines of the Rajiv Grihakalpa scheme, we will provide housing for people in their present residing places. Govt is formulating plans to reclaim lands from encroachers and build homes for the poor," he said.Revanth said the Congress govt is working to put Telangana back on the path of progress after ‘10 years of destruction' under the BRS. He called on party leaders to work hard to address the issues of the poor, assuring them of B-Forms to contest elections. He noted that after delimitation, the three big constituencies of Serilingampally, Quthbullapur and Kukatpally will together yield nearly 10 assembly seats, strengthening Congress prospects in the city.