Telangana Cabinet Greenlights Municipal Elections and Major Infrastructure Projects
The Telangana state cabinet, under the leadership of Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, made significant decisions during a historic meeting held at Medaram on Sunday. For the first time, the cabinet convened outside Hyderabad, at the Sammakka Saralamma jatara site, signaling a shift towards decentralized governance.
Municipal Elections to Proceed Swiftly
The cabinet unanimously approved the conduct of municipal elections as early as possible, with a strong indication that the process will conclude before February 15. This decision affects 116 municipalities and seven municipal corporations where the terms of elected bodies have already expired.
Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy explained the urgency behind this move. "The cabinet discussed the upcoming religious and academic calendar in detail. Mahashivaratri falls on February 15, followed by the start of Ramzan on February 16. Then, the Board of Intermediate and SSC (Class 10) examinations begin. With reservations already fixed based on the BC commission's report, we decided to hold elections at the earliest," he stated.
Sources indicate that the election schedule for Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) will likely be announced on January 20 or shortly thereafter. However, elections for the expanded Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) might be postponed for now.
Major Financial Allocations for Infrastructure
In a significant boost to Hyderabad's public transport system, the cabinet approved the release of Rs 2,787 crore for land acquisition related to Hyderabad Metro rail phase-II A and phase-II B corridors. This funding is designated for acquiring land on a war footing to expedite the expansion project.
The cabinet also discussed the potential takeover of the Hyderabad Metro project from L&T. Officials have been directed to provide more detailed information, which will be reviewed in the next cabinet meeting.
Transforming Medaram into a Premier Pilgrimage Destination
A key focus of the meeting was the development of the Sammakka Saralamma jatara site at Medaram. The cabinet resolved to develop this location and provide facilities to pilgrims that are on par or better than those at Tirumala and the Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj.
Chief Minister Revanth Reddy addressed the public at Medaram, announcing that the renovated jatara site would be dedicated to devotees on Monday. "The Congress government will develop this 'punya kshetram' (holy place) on the lines of Tirumala and Kumbh Mela," he affirmed.
Additional Cabinet Decisions
The cabinet meeting yielded several other important approvals:
- Allotment of land at 14 locations, including Nalgonda and Mahabubnagar, for constructing SBI corporate office buildings.
- Organization of Godavari Pushkarams from July 27 to August 3, 2027.
- Development of a temple tourism circuit from Basara to Bhadrachalam.
- Construction of a nine-kilometer elevated corridor from the Command Control Centre to Shilpa Layout in Hyderabad.
- Approval for the Potlapuram lift irrigation project in Mulugu mandal, costing Rs 143 crore.
- A pipeline project to bring Godavari water to Jampanna Vagu with an allocation of Rs 35 crore.
- Creation of additional posts in the law and pharmacy departments of Mahatma Gandhi University, Nalgonda.
- Expedition of HAM road works worth Rs 13,500 crore across the state.
- Allotment of 494 acres in Abdullapurmet mandal to TGIIC for an eco project development.
The cabinet briefing was conducted by ministers Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy, Komatireddy Venkat Reddy, and D Anasuya (Seethakka), along with local MP Balram Naik. This comprehensive set of decisions reflects the state government's focus on electoral processes, urban infrastructure, and regional development.
