Telangana Seeks Centre’s Backing For Key Urban Projects

Speaking at a regional meeting of Urban Development Ministers chaired by Union Housing and Urban Development Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Tuesday, the Chief Minister called for stronger central support to drive robust economic growth in the state. He also sought assistance for major initiatives such as lifting Godavari water to Hyderabad to meet long-term drinking water needs.

The Chief Minister highlighted several approvals pending with the Centre and requested immediate clearance and financial assistance for Metro Rail Phase 2 and the Musi project. He questioned why Telangana should be denied support when, in his view, Gujarat was receiving adequate funding for state projects.

He outlined the state’s efforts to promote zero-carbon initiatives, including the adoption of electric vehicles. He said Hyderabad will introduce 3,000 electric buses next year. He also spoke about the Future City project, global investment plans for the new city and a proposed dry port aimed at strengthening the state economy.

“We are not competing with other states. Our competition is with Singapore, Tokyo and New York. This requires the cooperation of the central government,” he said.

The Chief Minister added that the state will release the Telangana Rising Vision Document 2047 on 9 December. “We are working to make Telangana a USD 1 trillion economy by 2034 and expect the state to contribute 10 per cent to the country’s economy,” he said, aligning the state’s ambitions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Viksit Bharat@2047 vision.