Hyderabad: According to Deputy Chief Minister Malu Bhatti Vikramarka, the state government has designed an investment plan of Rs 4.5 billion to accelerate the growth and development of the newly formed municipal and urban development authorities in Telangana.
He said this when he proposed the budget in the state legislature on Wednesday. He said the Ministry of Municipal Administration and Urban Development (MA and UD) witnessed the fastest urbanization in the country, driven by the rapid expansion of IT industry, infrastructure development and transformative government initiatives. In addition to Hyderabad, we are actively developing two cities such as Warangal, Nizamabad and Khammam.
Warangal is established as a hub for education, healthcare and IT, while Nizamabad and Khammam are transforming into key hubs for agriculture-based industries and manufacturing.
As Hyderabad experiences rapid growth, we are implementing the H-Citi program to strengthen urban infrastructure and effectively manage traffic congestion. He explained: “As part of the first phase, we launched 31 overpasses, 17 passes and 10 road expansion projects with an estimated investment of Rs 703.2 crore.
In 2024, the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewage Treatment Commission carried out several groundbreaking projects to enhance water infrastructure and environmental sustainability. “We have started building four sewage treatment plants (STPs) in the Osman Sagar and Himayat Sagar reservoirs with a total capacity of 20 MLD to ensure effective wastewater treatment and improve water quality,” he said.
In addition, under the Musi Riverfront Development project, the state government revitalized the Osman Sagar and Himayat Sagar reservoirs to the Osman Sagar and Himayat Sagar reservoirs through the Godavari Drinking Water Supply Program. Bhatti Vikramarka said the plan aims to restore the ecological balance of these reservoirs while ensuring sustainable water supply in the future.
For the first time in decades, the Water Authority has launched an extensive desalination and cleaning program to restore neglected manholes and sewer lines. As part of this work, 3,025 km of sewer lines have been cleaned and 239,000 people have been reduced. This massive operation has resulted in a reduction of sewer-related complaints by more than 25%, greatly improving urban sanitation, drainage efficiency and public sanitation.
The ORR Phase 2 water supply project is now in its final stage, ensuring drinking water supply in urban areas within the scope of the Metropolitan Development Authority of Hyderabad (HMDA). To alleviate urban flooding, the government is implementing a comprehensive drainage system.
In Hyderabad, an integrated stormwater drainage project of Rs 5.942 crore has been approved to enhance flood management and prevent reservoirs, thus ensuring better urban resilience. In order to accelerate the growth and development of newly formed municipalities and urban development authorities across the state, the government has formulated an investment plan of Rs 4,5 billion.
The funding will be systematically utilized over the next three years to enhance basic urban infrastructure to ensure well-planned, sustainable and modern urban development.
When it comes to the future cities, the state government is pioneering the development of India’s first zero-net future city, which sets new standards for sustainable and smart urbanization. This environmentally friendly ultra-modern metropolis is designed to compete with the world’s top cities, featuring state-of-the-art infrastructure, cutting-edge technology and a pollution-free environment.
Between 56 villages between Srisailam and Nagarjuna Sagar Highways, spanning 765 square kilometers, this transformative large-scale urban project has been carefully planned to drive innovation and economic growth. To ensure its seamless implementation, the Future Urban Development Authority (FCDA) has been established.
This next-generation city will be equipped with multi-modal connections, power public transport networks and green buildings, thus promoting a sustainable and smart living ecosystem. In addition, it will accommodate dedicated areas such as AI City, pharmaceutical hubs, sports city and clean energy innovation zones, making it a global hub for technology, industry and sustainable development.
The state government has launched speed (smart, proactive, efficient and effective delivery) to quickly track 19 key projects in the prescribed timeline. The program focuses on real-time monitoring, proactive execution and effective resource management to ensure timely delivery and maximization of the public interest. Some of the major projects at the speed include Musi Riverfront Development, Metro Rail expansion, regional ring road construction, Telangana Bhavan construction in Delhi, the new Osmania hospital building and the implementation of anti-drug strategies.
He added that in this budget, the state government proposed allocating Rs 17,677 crore to MA and UD.
