KTR writes to CM Revanth Reddy seeking clarity on Hyderabad Pharma City

In an open letter to the Chief Minister on behalf of the BRS, Rama Rao criticised the Congress government's decision to halt the project without consulting stakeholders.

Hyderabad: BRS working president KT Rama Rao on Sunday expressed grave concerns over the future of the Hyderabad Pharma City project, urging Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy to provide clarity on the government’s position. The Pharma City project, touted as the world’s largest integrated pharmaceutical cluster initiated under the previous BRS government, was seen as pivotal to cementing Telangana’s position as a global leader in the life sciences and pharmaceutical sectors.

Telangana currently accounts for 40 per cent of India’s pharmaceutical production and is home to over 1,000 life sciences companies, with a combined ecosystem valued at USD 80 billion. The Pharma City project was part of a broader strategy to enhance this sector, building on Hyderabad’s reputation as the city with the highest number of USFDA-approved pharmaceutical units globally.

---

Recent reports suggested that the newly formed Congress government was rethinking over the project, causing alarm among investors and local communities alike. “The Hyderabad Pharma City, with an investment potential of USD 9.7 billion and the promise of over 5 lakh direct jobs, is integral to Telangana’s growth. Scrapping this project without a clear alternative is deeply concerning,” Rama Rao said.

In an open letter to the Chief Minister on behalf of the BRS, Rama Rao criticised the Congress government’s decision to halt the project without consulting stakeholders. He questioned the impact on the farmers who had contributed land for the initiative. “It is troubling to see decisions being made without a road map or consultations with the farmers and local communities. The High Court has clearly stated that the land acquired for the Pharma City cannot be repurposed for other ventures,” he pointed out.

The BRS working president demanded clarity from the Revanth Reddy government on its stance regarding the project and warned that if the Pharma City project was not executed as initially envisioned, the land should be returned to the farmers as per the provisions of the Land Acquisition Act, 2013. “If you intend to continue with the project, it should be executed in its full capacity as initially envisioned, without any scaling down or dilution of its scope,” he asserted.

With Telangana’s growing prominence in the life sciences sector, the former Minister emphasised the need to continue the Pharma City project in its full capcity, in strict adherence to stringent environmental standards, including Zero Liquid Discharge for sustainable development. “We cannot afford to lose the opportunity to make Telangana a global hub for life sciences, and the government’s indecision or abrupt policy shifts will only harm the State’s progress and reputation,” he cautioned.

The BRS leader urged the State government to make a prompt decision to avoid jeopardising Telangana’s industrial progress and reputation, adding that any decisions taken by your government safeguard the interests of the State, its industries, and its people.