HYDERABAD: It’s not usually that minister K.T. Rama Rao gets ‘fact-checked’ for his tweets. But these are not usual times, with elections to the Assembly slowly looming on the December horizon, the minister’s response to a tweet about delays in flyover constructions received some attention from netizens who pointed out that Rama Rao was in the wrong in his presumptions.
The issue was about delays in the construction and completion of two flyovers – one in Uppal, and another in Amberpet. “@KTRBRS Sir when can we expect completion of uppal flyover. Works are going at slow pace. Lot of problems for daily commuters from Narapally,” tweeted a netizen. Rama Rao was quick to respond saying “Uppal and Amberpet flyovers are unfortunately being executed by National Highways. Both progressing at snail’s pace even though GHMC has completed the land acquisition as committed. While we have completed 35 projects they are unable to complete even 2 !! That’s the Difference between KCR Govt and Modi Govt”
Rama Rao’s response found rebuttals with one Twitter user posting a letter written by Union minister and Secunderabad MP G. Kishan Reddy to the state government. “Sir, Sri @kishanreddybjp garu thru attached letter (in Jun 2020) requested state Govt to remove the hurdles for Amberpet flyover.”
The Amberpet flyover is part of the National Highway 202, and Kishan Reddy stated in a letter in 2020 that more than Rs. 76 crore was sanctioned for land acquisition, and that the subject comes under the state, adding that GHMC had provided compensation for the land that was being acquired by then.
“Yet another lie by the Misinformation Minister. Land acquisition pending from GHMC side (Laxmi apartments stretch at 6 number X road). Hurdles created by his ally MIM. Union Minister @kishanreddybjp Garu has written several letters for early resolution to the state govt!,” tweeted another netizen.
While another user said the Uppal elevated corridor was being delayed due to delays in shifting of power and water lines, while others pointed out that the National Highway Authority of India had appointed the state government as the implementing agency for executing the Uppal elevated corridor, adding that it was the state Roads and Building (R&B) Department that was entrusted with this work. To prove this point, a Twitter user also posted a copy of a letter that said “@NHAI_Official dated 14.02.2023 to the Govt. Of Telangana. Uppal elevated corridor works taken up by NHAI but the works are executed by State R&B, which is under the control of the State Govt. State R&B, NH Wing is headed by an Engineer in Chief, TS Govt.”
