PNS|Hyderabad
Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka on Thursday declared that Chief Minister Revanth Reddy is prepared to invest any amount required to transform Hyderabad into a world-class global city. Chairing a high-level review meeting at Dr BR Ambedkar State Secretariat on the progress of development works in the Old City, Bhatti said the government has a clear roadmap for the city’s modernisation-while preserving its heritage.
The meeting, held as per the directions of the Chief Minister, was attended by Hyderabad In-charge Minister Ponnam Prabhakar, Hyderabad Parliament constituency MLAs, and senior officials. Constituencies such as Charminar, Malakpet, Karwan, Yakutpura, Chandrayangutta, Bahadurpura, and Nampally were reviewed in detail, and MLAs were briefed on each project’s progress.
Bhatti highlighted that for the first time in history, the state government allocated Rs 10,000 crore in the budget solely for Hyderabad’s development, and a similar allocation will continue this year as well. “No previous government has made such a significant financial commitment to this city,” he said.
The Deputy CM announced several big-ticket initiatives: Rs 7,400 crore to bring Godavari water to Hyderabad through Phases 2 and 3, ensuring 20 TMC of supply for drinking and Moosi rejuvenation. Rs 3,840 crore for constructing 39 STPs in the city. Rs 2,714 crore for extending the Metro Rail from MGBS to Chandrayangutta. Rs 19,579 crore proposals for Metro Phase-II corridors from JBS to Medchal, JBS to Shameerpet, and Airport to Future City.
Bhatti underlined that 15 TMC of Godavari water will be used for drinking purposes and 5 TMC feet for Moosi rejuvenation. He criticised the previous government for failing to bring even one MLD of additional water to Hyderabad in 10 years.
In Chandrayangutta, the 156 km-long British-era sewer network is being modernised at a cost of Rs. 301 crore. Meanwhile, the MGBS-Chandrayangutta Metro extension awaits central approval, and road widening is under way to accommodate the metro infrastructure.
Bhatti directed GHMC to expedite the completion of the nearly-finished Charminar Pedestrian Project and also instructed that the Ambedkar Knowledge Centres in each MLA constituency be planned immediately.
Referring to the recent Gulzar Houz tragedy in which 17 people died, Bhatti called it a painful reminder of systemic neglect. He said CM Revanth Reddy has constituted a high-level committee to draft fire safety reforms. “This is a historic turning point. If we do not act now, history will not forgive us,” he cautioned.
MIM MLAs Praise Government’s Vision for Old City
MIM MLAs representing the Hyderabad Parliamentary area expressed gratitude to the Congress-led government for its structured and high-scale investment in Old City development. They lauded the Rs 2,714 crore MGBS-Chandrayangutta Metro project, the Rs 3,840 crore Moosi STPs and the Rs 7,400 crore Godavari Phase-II and III water project. “No previous government has shown this level of commitment to Hyderabad’s urban needs,” they said.
