HYDERABAD, SEPTEMBER 3: Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Thursday inaugurated the Chanchalguda-Santosh Nagar steel flyover and announced a series of infrastructure and welfare initiatives for Hyderabad, including expansion of the Metro rail network, construction of a cable bridge at Mir Alam Tank and one lakh Indiramma houses in the city.
Addressing a public meeting after inaugurating the flyover, Mr. Reddy criticised the previous government, alleging that it had only performed the foundation ceremony for the project and failed to provide funds for its construction. His government, he said, had allocated the required funds and completed the work.
‘Old City is the Original City’
Referring to the Old City, Mr. Reddy said he had always maintained that it should be called the “Original City”. He said he was familiar with its streets and directed officials to sanction development works sought by AIMIM president and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi.
When MLA Akbaruddin Owaisi sought ₹20 crore for the development of a college, the Chief Minister announced a grant of ₹25 crore. While assuring government funding, he said the MLA would be responsible for completing the works within 18 months. The government, he added, was prepared to spend as much as necessary on education.
Mr. Reddy also referred to Mr. Owaisi’s stand during Operation Sindoor, saying that he had supported the country during the operation. Political ideologies could differ, he said, but people should remain united on the issue of patriotism.
Cable bridge, Metro expansion
The Chief Minister announced plans to construct a cable bridge of about three km across Mir Alam Tank, saying residents should not have to travel to Durgam Cheruvu to see a cable bridge.
He also said the government would complete Metro connectivity from Gowliguda to Chandrayangutta before the next Assembly election. Referring to the proposed expansion, Mr. Reddy said he expected to seek votes from people while travelling on the Metro during the next election campaign.
The government was also planning to extend Metro services from Nagole through LB Nagar, Vanasthalipuram and Rajendranagar to Shamshabad, he said.
One lakh Indiramma houses
Mr. Reddy announced that one lakh Indiramma houses would be constructed in Hyderabad. He said the development of Telangana was possible only when Hindus and Muslims worked together.
The Chief Minister highlighted the government’s welfare measures, including 200 units of free electricity for eligible poor households and cooking gas cylinders at ₹500. He also said the government would take steps to create employment opportunities for poor Muslims.
Mr. Reddy accused the BJP and the BRS of obstructing the proposed Musi Riverfront development. The government, he said, intended to develop the Musi and promote a night-time economy in Hyderabad.
‘Development, not politics, is the priority’
Mr. Reddy said his government’s objective was to develop Hyderabad comprehensively and alleged that the BJP and BRS were creating hurdles in several projects. Politics, he said, would be confined to election periods and development would remain the government’s priority thereafter.
He also said he would not be intimidated by threats or pressure. “Nobody can threaten me into submission,” he said, adding that he would respond to affection rather than intimidation and would not bow to pressure.
