KCR endorses Chandrababu's land price jibe, says fortunes have reversed in Telangana

HYDERABAD: Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao (KCR) on Thursday commended Telangana's development in the last decade and buttressed it by referring to the recent comments made by former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and TDP Chief Chandrababu Naidu.

“Naidu recently said that previously if one acre of land was sold in Andhra, four acres could be bought in Telangana with that money. Now, tables have turned. If one acre is sold in Telangana, up to 50 or even 100 acres can be bought in Andhra. Such is the change of fortune that has taken place in Telangana. If there is a good Government in place, anything is possible,” said the Chief Minister.

KCR made these comments during the foundation-laying ceremony for a state-of-the-art superspecialty hospital in Patancheru. This initiative is a part of the Government's larger plan to establish four hospitals in different corners of Hyderabad to enhance medical facilities. The Chief Minister directed Health Minister Harish Rao to expedite the construction works of the Rs 1,830-crore hospital. The establishment of this superspeciality hospital aims to provide quality medical care within Patancheru, eliminating the need for residents to seek treatment elsewhere.

Expressing gratitude to former Chief Secretary Dr Rajeev Sharma, KCR commended his role in conceptualising and establishing the superspeciality hospital.

“It was Dr Sharma's prior experience as the Chairman of the Telangana State Pollution Control Board which contributed to his understanding of the healthcare needs in the region, prompting the government to prioritise this project,” KCR said.

The Chief Minister made a slew of promises to boost infrastructure in Patancheru constituency. “Since movement of traffic is highest in BHEL-Dilsukhnagar region, I propose to extend the Metro Rail network from Patancheru to Hayathnagar. But it will not be feasible now. I promise that it will be sanctioned in the first cabinet meeting after I come back to power in 2024.”

Responding to a request from Patancheru MLA G. Mahipal Reddy the Chief Minister promised to issue a Government Order (GO) for the establishment of a Polytechnic College in Patancheru.

KCR emphasised that IT Industries Parks would also be developed in the constituency along with beautification of lakes. He said that he would instruct the irrigation department to sanction funds to beautify lakes just like how it was done for Komati Cheruvu in Siddipet.

To promote local development and governance, KCR announced a financial grant of Rs 30 crore for each of the three municipalities in Patancheru. Additionally, Rs 10 crore each was allocated for the three divisions within the municipalities. KCR promised to grant Rs 15 lakh each from the Chief Minister's fund to 55 gram panchayats in the region.