If Centre does not want to support Telangana, at least don’t create hurdles: KTR to BJP

Hyderabad: Telangana IT and MA&UD Minister KT Rama Rao on Saturday asked the Prime Minister Narendra Modi to come with some good news for the people of the State during his visit to Telangana next week. He asked to come with good news on allotting defence lands for Hyderabad to execute different infrastructure projects.

Targeting the BJP at the Centre, KTR said since the last nine years, the BJP-led Union government has been troubling the Telangana government with lack of support and assistance. “Hyderabad is a developing city. If you (BJP Government) cannot support us, at least don’t create hurdles,” Rama Rao said.

He inaugurated the interchange at Narsingi on the Outer Ring Road (ORR) here on Saturday.

Speaking on the occasion, KTR recalled the State government had sought half an acre of defence land for constructing a skywalk at Mehdipatnam. This was being constructed similar to the one launched at Uppal last week, he said.

The skywalk at Mehdipatnam was proposed to ease traffic congestion and ensure comfortable passage for pedestrians at the busy junction. Towards this, half an acre of defence land was sought from the Defence Ministry in the past. Similarly, link roads were being proposed at Attapur and there was requirement of defence land at Langar Houz too.

All these issues were once again taken up with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in New Delhi recently, he informed.

Further, to ensure free flow of traffic in Northern part of Hyderabad, skyways were planned from JBS to Shamirpet and from Patny to Kandlakoya, covering about 36 km. For taking up these projects, 150 acres of defence land was sought and the State government had even agreed to allot 500 acres in Shamirpet in exchange. Yet, there was no response from Union government all these years, he said.

“Since Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to visit Telangana next week, I appeal to him to allot the defence lands to the State Government. I hope he will respond positively and share a good news with the people,” Rama Rao said.

Stating that Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao has many development plans for the State, especially Hyderabad, the Minister said a Expressway was being planned from Manchirevula to Nagole covering 55 km over River Musi.

This would facilitate in connecting the western parts of the city to the eastern parts of the city, besides aid in easing traffic congestion. It would cost Rs.10,000 crore to execute the project, he said, adding the proposed project would be in addition to the 14 bridges across the River Musi to facilitate free flow of traffic.