Ramakrishna Rao swapped his office chair for city streets, hitting the ground running with a whirlwind field tour across Hyderabad on Sunday—inspecting bridges, roads, and heritage sites, setting a brisk pace for infrastructure progress just days into his tenure

What the Chief Secretary Said

Speaking during his inspections, Ramakrishna Rao stressed that Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has placed a special focus on Hyderabad’s development. "Every visit we make, every project we assess is guided by the CM’s vision for a vibrant, modern Hyderabad. We are here to make sure infrastructure not only progresses swiftly but benefits the public meaningfully,” he stated.

He reiterated that there is no dearth of funding for crucial projects like the Old City Metro and highlighted the importance of public support and administrative coordination. On heritage sites, Rao encouraged innovative use cases that sustain conservation through cultural activation. He also assured that all STPs being built under the Water Works Department would be made operational soon to address the city's sanitation needs.

It’s not even a week since K Ramakrishna Rao took charge as Telangana’s new Chief Secretary, and he’s already charting a new course of action-oriented leadership. Unlike traditional bureaucratic routines that start slow and stay behind desks, Rao wasted no time in getting into the thick of things—conducting on-site inspections, holding high-level meetings, and setting clear expectations for government machinery.

On May 4, just four days into office—and a Sunday no less—Ramakrishna Rao stepped out for an extensive field visit across Hyderabad, inspecting critical infrastructure and heritage conservation projects that are pivotal to the city’s urban transformation. The 1991 batch IAS officer’s tour spanned from the posh Banjara Hills to the culturally rich Old City, underscoring his intent to bridge both development and heritage.

At Banjara Hills, Rao inspected a nearly completed Rs.5 crore Foot over Bridge (FOB) near GVK Mall. Designed not just for utility but also to enhance the city's aesthetics, these FOBs form part of a broader plan, with 42 already functional across Hyderabad and more under survey.

Next, he reviewed the progress of the Metro Rail Phase-2 expansion, particularly the Old City Corridor from MG Bus Station to Chandrayangutta. MD NVS Reddy briefed him on the ongoing land acquisition and demolition efforts, stating that public cooperation has been encouraging. Rao emphasized the need to speed up these processes and assured there would be no shortage of funds for the Old City Metro—a significant commitment for an area often viewed as development-deprived.

At Hussaini Alam, he examined the Khursheed Jah Devdi, a heritage structure undergoing conservation and restoration funded by HMDA. Rao suggested the site could be sustainably maintained by hosting exhibitions and cultural events, thus blending preservation with public engagement.

Further visits included the Moosarambagh Bridge, Falaknuma Road Over Bridge, Nalgonda Flyover, and the Amberpet STP (Sewage Treatment Plant). He stressed that work must be completed by August, particularly at the Falaknuma RoB where GHMC and MAUD officials assured him that all necessary land acquisition would be wrapped up soon. At Moosarambagh, he reviewed progress on the bridge over the Musi River and its benefits for easing traffic congestion and improving connectivity.

At every location, Rao drove home two key points: expedite the pace of work and ensure zero compromise on quality. He was joined on these visits by MAUD Secretary K Ilambarithi, GHMC Commissioner R V Karnan, HMDA Commissioner Sarfraz Ahmed, HMWSSB MD Ashok Reddy, and other senior officials from civic departments—marking a coordinated effort across key government arms.

Building bridges, not just Bureaucracy

While this field inspection garnered attention, Ramakrishna Rao has been equally proactive inside office. Just hours after assuming office on April 30, he participated in a video conference chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which reviewed the implementation of Centrally Sponsored Schemes in states. That same proactive approach has continued, with the CS holding multiple review meetings on various fronts—from Miss World event preparations to a state-wide video conference on the "Indiramma Indlu" housing scheme chaired by Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy.

Beyond policy and project reviews, Ramakrishna Rao has made it a point to personally connect with the top brass of the state government. He has met with Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, Governor Jishnu Dev Varma, Assembly Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar, Legislative Council Chairman Gutha Sukhender Reddy, Deputy CM Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, and Minister D Sridhar Babu, among others. These meetings serve both as courtesy visits and strategic groundwork for seamless governance going forward.

Notably, Rao has previously worked closely with many of these leaders in his former role as Special Chief Secretary (Finance), especially with Deputy CM Bhatti. His meetings, therefore, reflect both continuity and a spirit of collaboration—an effort to express gratitude while seeking their cooperation in his new role.

He’s also found time to give appointment and meet and pose for group pictures with Secretariat staff and government employees from various departments, welcoming their greetings and well wishes. This open-door approach is being seen as a signal that Ramakrishna Rao values inclusiveness and communication at all levels of governance.

In an administrative culture where senior officials often take a cautious and office-bound start, K Ramakrishna Rao has chosen ‘take it on’ approach. By diving headfirst into field inspections, high-level meetings, and personal outreach, the new Chief Secretary has sent a powerful message: efficiency, and urgency.  Will it define this new chapter in Telangana's governance?