14 months, 8 foundation stones, Zero progress: Summary of Congress regime

The Revanth Reddy government, which announced several projects and initiatives across sectors including infrastructure, health and education, has barely been able to take the projects or initiatives beyond the foundation laying ceremony or the announcement. Some of the projects are also mired in controversy

Hyderabad: If the last 14 months of the Congress government in power in the State is any indication, Telangana will have a large collection of foundation stones, along with a long list of announcements, by the time the Congress tenure ends. Nothing more.

The Revanth Reddy government, which announced several projects and initiatives across sectors including infrastructure, health and education, has barely been able to take the projects or initiatives beyond the foundation laying ceremony or the announcement. Some of the projects are also mired in controversy.

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Just as there has been a huge public outcry against the Congress failure to keep its election promises, right from the Six Guarantees, Rythu Bharosa to the crop loan waiver, work on most of the projects is yet to be grounded, reflecting the state of affairs in Telangana.

In March 2024, Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy had laid the foundation for the elevated double decker corridor near Kandlakoya junction, but there is hardly any development at the ground level even after nearly a year. In August, the foundation was laid for the Young India Skill University.

The proposed varsity however hit headlines for the wrong reasons over a Rs.100 crore donation from Gautam Adani and also Rs.200 crore from MEIL, a firm that has been in controversy in connection with contracts from the State government despite the Sunkishala retaining wall collapse episode.

Subsequently, the Future City was announced, but has made no headway with farmers in many villages up in arms over parting with their lands for laying the approach road. Same has been the fate of the Pharma Village cluster, which is facing stringent opposition from farmers.

The State government had then announced that it would expedite the Regional Ring Road works. However, there is uncertainty over the alignment of the southern part of the RRR.

The Chief Minister had suggested a few changes in the alignment for the southern part and this has not gone well with land owners, who are now protesting.Then, the biggest project – the Musi Riverfront Development project.

Amidst criticism from different sections, the State government had announced the project. A consortium of consultants was entrusted with the task of preparing a detailed project report. DPR. It is unclear whether the preliminary DPR is ready. The only progress, if it can be called that, was that a team of politicians and journalists went on a “study tour” to Seoul.

Similarly, in December last, the foundation was laid for different works under the Hyderabad City Innovative and Transformative Infra (H – CITI) initiative.

Under the project, flyovers on different levels were proposed around the KBR Park. Again, land acquisition has turned into a challenge for the government for executing the works.

On Monday, film star Allu Arjun’s father-in-law K Chandrashekhar Reddy, himself a Congress leader, filed an application at the Prajavani programme here asking authorities to reconsider the acquisition of his plot for the project.

Likewise, the foundation for work on the Old City Metro was laid in March last. At present, the Metro officials are acquiring properties for taking up the works, with not much progress reported there too.

Last month, the Chief Minister laid the foundation for the new building of the Osmania General Hospital at Goshamahal, claiming a ‘world-class’ structure, but the hospital project is facing strong protests from local residents.

Another announcement was of constructing a hanging bridge across the Mir Alam Tank like the one constructed at Durgam Cheruvu. Even as the list of announcements and number of foundation stones grows, there has been no tangible progress on the ground, with people expressing doubt over the Congress government’s capability to implement or complete any of its promises or projects.

 

Some of the projects announced by the Congress Govt

January 2025 – Foundation for Osmania General Hospital new building

December 2024 – Foundation for H- CITI works around KBR Park

November – Foundation for expansion of Sri Raja Rajeshwara Swamy Temple

October – Foundation for Young India Integrated Residential school, Kondurg

September – Family Digital Health Cards pilot project

August – Foundation for Young India Skills University

March – Foundation for Old City Metro

March – Foundation for double decker corridor near Kandlakoya junction