Hyderabad: Ahead of the monsoon session of Parliament, chief minister A Revanth Reddy on Monday urged MPs from all political parties to set aside political differences and work collectively in the interests of Telangana, and seek approvals and funding for key infrastructure projects by meeting the Prime Minister and other Union ministers.Addressing a meeting of all-party MPs at Praja Bhavan, the CM stressed the need to secure pending approvals from the central govt for key irrigation, infrastructure, transport, and other development projects.
A PowerPoint presentation regarding issues pending with the Centre was given to the MPs at the meeting as they could raise the issues and also meet Union ministers during the monsoon session starting July 20. After the meeting, the CM left for New Delhi and would meet Union ministers Rammohan Naidu, Manohar Lal Khattar, and Nitin Gadkari on new airports, Metro rail and housing issues, and to discuss the Regional Ring Road project respectively on Tuesday.The CM briefed the MPs on the status of discussions with the central govt regarding the takeover of Hyderabad Metro Rail phase-I and the expansion of Metro Rail phase-II.“The Centre had agreed to appoint SBI CAPS as a consultant for this project. The MPs should ensure the process moves forward swiftly,” he said, and also made a specific request to BJP MPs Eatela Rajender and Konda Vishweshwar Reddy, who attended the meeting, to pay special attention to this matter.He urged the MPs from all parties to seek approval from Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman for establishment of an IIM in Hyderabad. The CM also briefed the MPs on the discussions held recently in Karnataka —chaired by jal shakti minister CR Patil and involving the chief ministers of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka — regarding inter-state river water issues.The Chief Minister emphasised the need to secure both the water rights and the necessary central funding in connection with Godavari-Cauvery interlinking project.Revanth made it clear that Andhra Pradesh needs to issue no objection certificates (NoCs) for irrigation projects that were initiated during the tenure of the united AP. “The MPs should focus on the proposal to establish MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul) facilities and air cargo services at new airports and bullet train hub,” he said.IAS officer Advait Kumar Singh has been appointed to coordinate and provide necessary information to MPs, regardless of their political affiliations, at Telangana Bhavan in Delhi.MP Konda Vishweshwar Reddy suggested that, given the alleged flaws in the designs of the Kaleshwaram and Palamuru-Rangareddy projects, an expert committee should be constituted to study the issue.
