Telangana has expressed its ambition to contribute USD 1 trillion towards India’s goal of becoming a USD 5 trillion economy. Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, during a virtual event on Monday, sought Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s approval for key developmental projects in the state, including the second phase of the Hyderabad metro rail. The event also marked the inauguration of major railway projects, such as the Charlapalli railway terminal station and the Jammu division.
The Chief Minister thanked the Prime Minister for the Charlapalli terminal but highlighted Telangana’s decline in metro rail network rankings under the previous government. He urged swift approval for the metro rail’s expansion and emphasized the importance of the long-delayed integrated railway coach factory at Kazipet. Recognizing Telangana’s lack of port access, he proposed a dedicated railway line linking the Machilipatnam port in Andhra Pradesh to Telangana and suggested establishing a dry port to bolster industrial development. Additionally, Reddy recommended a ‘regional ring rail’ alongside Hyderabad’s Regional Ring Road (RRR), with tenders already issued for a significant portion of the RRR project.
Reddy reiterated that robust railway infrastructure is pivotal for Telangana to achieve its economic ambitions. He emphasized that the state’s development is integral to India’s broader economic goals. Union Minister of State for Railways, V Somanna, echoed these sentiments during the event, highlighting transformative advancements in Indian Railways. The Charlapalli terminal, developed at a cost of INR 430 crore, is set to alleviate congestion at Hyderabad’s existing stations, with modern facilities making it a standout railway hub in South India.
Somanna detailed the central government’s substantial investments in Telangana’s railway sector, including the completion of 346 kilometres of new railway lines, 370 kilometres of track doubling and tripling, and over 1,000 kilometres of electrification in the past decade. He underscored the historical significance of simultaneously modernizing over 1,300 railway stations across India, with Secunderabad and Nampally stations in Hyderabad undergoing significant upgrades at INR 720 crore and INR 350 crore, respectively.
Union Coal and Mines Minister G Kishan Reddy highlighted ongoing projects, including the rail manufacturing unit at Kazipet, which promises to generate 3,000 direct jobs. He criticized the previous Telangana government for failing to contribute INR 1,000 crore towards expanding Hyderabad’s Multi-Modal Transport System (MMTS), forcing the Centre to bear the entire cost. He also confirmed plans to extend MMTS services to Yadagirigutta, contingent on the state’s land acquisition efforts.
The central government’s investment of INR 2,000 crore in Telangana underscores its commitment to advancing the state’s railway and infrastructure development. With INR 1,20,000 crore already spent on National Highways and an additional INR 80,000 crore planned, Telangana stands poised to play a crucial role in India’s economic growth.
