Revanth Meets Rajnath, Seeks Transfer of Defence Lands

Hyderabad: Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Monday met Union defence minister Rajnath Singh seeking the transfer of 2,450 acres of defence lands to the state government for construction of roads and flyovers in Hyderabad.

He also met Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal Khattar to appeal to him for the sanction of 2.70 lakh houses to Telangana under the BLC (Beneficiary Led Construction) model for the current fiscal 2024-25.

The Chief Minister brought to the notice of Rajnath Singh the defence ministry using 2,462 acres of land, owned by the state government, for the Imarat Research Centre (RCI) at Ravirala village.

Since the defence ministry was using the state government’s lands for RCI, the Chief Minister requested Rajnath Singh to transfer 2,450 acres of land for the construction of roads, flyovers and other infrastructure in Hyderabad city as well as surrounding areas. Revanth Reddy appealed to the defence minister to accept the mutual transfer of lands of the state government and the defence ministry.

He also brought to the notice of the defence minister that the Union government has already sanctioned a Sainik School for Warangal. The previous state government did not take any steps for the construction of the school. He requested the Union minister to renew or grant a fresh permit for Warangal Sainik School as the permission granted earlier has expired.

In his meeting with Khattar, Revanth Reddy informed him that the state government decided to construct 25 lakh houses for the poor in their own habitations. About 15 lakh houses, out of the proposed construction of 25 lakh houses, will come under the purview of the urban development ministry, which will be built under the BLC system.

Responding to the Chief Minister’s request, Khattar said that the Prime Minister's Awas Yojana (Urban) (PMAY(U)) has been approved by the Central government and hence the funds sanctioned under PMAY(U) for 2024-25 will be increased. The houses that are being constructed in the state will be built according to the guidelines of PMAY (U).

The Chief Minister reminded that 1,59,372 houses have already been sanctioned to Telangana under PMAY(U) and a grant of Rs.2,390.58 crores has also been announced. However, he said only Rs.1,605.70 crores have been released so far and requested the Union minister for the release of pending funds immediately.

Revanth Reddy requested Khattar to extend the deadline for the completion of the Smart City Mission till June 2025 as the works are yet to be completed and are pending at various levels.

He told the Union housing minister that works have been undertaken in Warangal and Karimnagar under the Smart City Mission.

In Warangal, he said 45 works have been completed and another 66 works have been undertaken at a cost of Rs 518 crores. In Karimnagar, 25 works have already been completed in Karimnagar and 22 works are in progress at the cost of Rs.287 crores.

As the term of the Smart City Mission is ending on June 30 this year, Revanth Reddy requested the Union minister to extend the mission for one more year till the completion of the works for public benefit.