Not scrapping Airport Metro, Pharma city, only streamlining, says Revanth Reddy

HYDERABAD: Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Monday made it clear that his Government is not going to scrap Metro or Pharma city projects initiated by the earlier Government but will only streamline them.

In an informal chat with the media, the Chief Minister said that the Government would make changes as per the aspirations of the people. “About the Airport Metro, we will reduce the distance compared to what the earlier Government has proposed. From BHEL to Shamshabad Airport the distance will be only 32 km,” he said adding that the Airport Metro route would be via MGBS and Old City.

He said that the Airport Metro line would be linked to Nagole to LB Nagar, OS hospital to Chandrayangutta lines.” If needed we will extend Miyapur terminal with Ramachandrapuram. Similarly, the Metro line that terminates at Mind Space will be extended to the financial district,” he said.

He pointed out that there would not be much of a demand for Metro service from the Gachibowli area to Shamshabad Airport. He said that the new alignment suggested by the new Government would cost much less than what was proposed.

Revanth Reddy proposed the phased development of a pharma city in the shape of clusters between the ORR and the RRR. “These clusters will be zero-polluting kind, and residential areas will be developed for the people who work in these clusters. These clusters will be self-sufficient so that they do not have to visit Hyderabad for their household and other needs,” CM explained.

Proposing to convert the CM camp office into a State guest house and to establish a Policy Studies and Research Social Justice and Empowerment centre, Revanth Reddy said that the Government had decided to start skill universities where the youth would be trained by renowned entrepreneurs and industrialists.

“The skills imparted here will be equal to regular degrees, skills will be additional. There will be on-campus recruitment for the graduates that come out of these universities,” he said. He said that Century, Tata, and Mahindra would set up these universities.

Elaborating on his Government’s intentions to further decentralisation of governance, he said that Ministers were entrusted with the responsibilities of erstwhile districts as inchargers.

He said the Government would start one nursing college for every 100 beds. “We will also provide orientation for the youth who want to work in other countries. We create quality manpower suitable for employment abroad. We will utilise the services of the senior Government officers to impart skills to the youth,” he added.

The Chief Minister informed that the PCC extended meeting would be held on January 3. He assured that nominated posts would be filled as per the promise made at the time of the elections. “ I will keep the broad benefit in mind while filling the posts rather than filling them with the people close to me,” he said. He promised that issues about the journalists would be taken up after filling the post of Press Academy Chairman.

Chief Minister said that he had completed picking up commissioners for all the Commissionerates and they would in turn create their own team with suitable and talented manpower. “However, they will have to ensure social justice in whatever they do,” he cautioned.