Revanth blames Kishan for Metro delay

1. CM Revanth Reddy alleged that the Centre is withholding the release of a Rs 13,600 crore IRFC refinancing loan for Hyderabad Metro
2. Revanth accused Kishan Reddy of deliberately blocking funds and approvals for Hyd Metro Phase II
3. Revanth alleged a BJP-BRS nexus, claiming Kishan Reddy was acting in collusion with KCR and KTR to stall the Metro expansion project
4. The CM said Telangana is ready to execute the 122 km Metro Phase II project with 100% State funding and demanded the Centre either partner in the project or issue an immediate NOC.
5. Revanth questioned why Metro projects were approved for Ahmedabad and Visakhapatnam while Hyderabad's proposal remains pending

metro india news  I hyderabad

Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy launched a sharp attack on Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy, accusing him of deliberately obstructing the Hyderabad Metro Rail Phase II project and preventing the release of crucial funds despite the State Government fulfilling all required conditions.

Addressing a press conference at the State Secretariat on Monday, Revanth Reddy alleged that Kishan Reddy was responsible for delays in securing approvals and financial clearances for the ambitious Metro expansion project. The Chief Minister claimed that the Union Minister had influenced the Centre against extending support to Telangana's Metro plans and accused him of acting in collusion with former Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao and BRS leader K.T. Rama Rao to stall the project for political reasons.

To strengthen the project financially, the State secured a Rs 13,600 crore refinancing arrangement through the Indian Railway Finance Corporation (IRFC), backed by funding from a Japanese agency at an interest rate of around four per cent, significantly lower than previous borrowing costs. Revanth Reddy stated that all necessary approvals, including those from the Reserve Bank of India, had been obtained and questioned why the transfer of funds was being delayed. The Chief Minister alleged that Kishan Reddy had played a role in preventing the release of the loan and demanded that he take responsibility for ensuring immediate disbursal. He warned that public protests could be launched if the Centre continued to delay approvals and funding.

The Chief Minister said the Telangana government was fully prepared to execute the 122 kilometre Metro Phase II project and was even willing to bear the entire financial burden without any contribution from the Centre in view of Centre’s non-committal stance. He demanded that the Union Government either become a partner in the project or immediately issue a No Objection Certificate allowing the State to proceed independently.

Revanth Reddy expressed frustration over the Centre's alleged discriminatory approach towards Telangana. He pointed out that Metro Rail projects had recently received approvals and support in cities such as Ahmedabad, Visakhapatnam and other locations, while Hyderabad's expansion proposal continued to face delays. According to him, repeated representations made to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Ministers had failed to yield results.

The Chief Minister also highlighted the financial restructuring undertaken by the State Government to revive and expand the Metro project. He said the government had taken over Metro assets worth nearly Rs 30,000 crore from L&T for about Rs 15,000 crore after the private operator declined to participate in further expansion due to mounting losses. L&T, he noted, had been incurring annual losses of nearly Rs 400 crore.

Revanth Reddy further blamed the previous BRS government for delaying the first phase of the Metro project, leading to cost escalation from approximately Rs 15,000 crore to Rs 22,000 crore. He maintained that the Congress government was committed to expanding Hyderabad's public transport infrastructure and urged the Centre to stop creating hurdles in a project that would benefit millions of commuters across the city.

KTR slams Revanth Reddy over Metro Phase 2 delay

BRS Working President K. T. Rama Rao launched a scathing attack on Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, alleging that the failure to secure Central approval for Hyderabad Metro Rail Phase 2 is a clear reflection of the State government's inefficiency and administrative failure.

Reacting to Revanth's allegations, KTR questioned why the Telangana government had failed to obtain Metro approvals for Hyderabad when similar projects had received clearance in cities such as Ahmedabad and Visakhapatnam. He said the Chief Minister, despite making 71 visits to Delhi, could not convince the Centre to approve the project, exposing what he termed as the government's inability to protect Telangana's interests.

KTR alleged that Revanth Reddy lacks the courage to question Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP-led Central government over the denial of Metro Phase 2 approval. Instead, he accused the Chief Minister of attempting to divert public attention by targeting the opposition BRS. He further claimed that the Congress government's inability to secure funds and approvals from the Centre has become evident to the people of Telangana.

Defending the previous BRS government, KTR asserted that the successful completion of the Hyderabad Metro Rail project was largely due to the efforts of former Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao. He stated that when BRS came to power in 2014, only 28 percent of the Metro works had been completed and the project was facing uncertainty. According to him, the KCR government accelerated execution, completed the remaining works, secured necessary loans and ensured the Metro became operational.

KTR also criticized the Congress government's Metro expansion plans, alleging that they were designed around a proposed "Future City" rather than the transportation needs of Hyderabad residents. He maintained that the BRS government had prepared a comprehensive Phase 2 plan covering six corridors, 72 stations and 76.4 kilometres based on traffic demand and urban growth.

He further alleged that the government's actions and threats against L&T had created uncertainty around the Metro project and accused it of attempting to gain control over valuable Metro assets. KTR demanded that the Chief Minister apologise to the people of Hyderabad for failing to secure Metro Phase 2 approval and for allegedly jeopardising the future expansion of the city's Metro network.