Hyderabad:The state government has decided to independently construct the southern part of the Hyderabad Regional Ring Road (RRR) project to expedite its completion, without relying on central assistance. Speaking at a press conference in the Secretariat on Monday, minister for roads and buildings Komatireddy Venkat Reddy announced that tenders for the project are expected to be invited by next month. He said that global financial institutions, including the World Bank and Asian Development Bank (ADB), are being approached to fund the project. The government has directed collectors of the respective districts to revise land values to ensure higher compensation for land oustees. who lose their lands on account of RRR.
The minister criticised the BRS government for its handling of the RRR project, launched in 2017 with central assistance.
“Not a single step was taken in the last seven years due to lack of coordination between the state and the Centre. To avoid such delays, the Congress government has decided to execute the southern part of the RRR independently,” he stated.
The project, designed as a 6/8-lane expressway, aims to enhance connectivity, particularly to Hyderabad’s international airport and the “Fourth City,” an ambitious urban development project.
It is also expected to spur growth in sectors such as software, logistics, and real estate in the region.
A committee, headed by the special chief secretary, has already begun work on the alignment of the southern part. The government has issued orders to prepare a detailed project report (DPR), which will include technical and financial advisories. Consultants will conduct surveys to assess environmental and land acquisition requirements, including lake conservation, forest land usage and compensation for farmers.
On the northern part of the RRR, the minister revealed that 94 per cent of land acquisition has been completed but delays persist due to procedural issues with the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). While the state government has facilitated land acquisition, tenders have yet to be called by NHAI. Efforts are being made to ensure fair compensation to farmers.
In a separate announcement, Venkat Reddy assured that the Mamunur airport in Warangal would be developed into an international facility. He highlighted the resolution of a 150-km distance norm issue with GMR international airport in Hyderabad and confirmed that land acquisition is nearing completion.
The airport, he said, is a long-pending demand of the undivided Warangal district and will be fast-tracked for public use.
