Hyderabad: The Centre is thoroughly reviewing the Telangana government’s proposal for the second phase of the Hyderabad Metro project, a process that may take some time. The minister had an informal conversation with reporters from the BJP’s state office on Tuesday, and the process would take time as the center would need to evaluate multiple parameters including project costs.
He took the Chennai Metro Phase II project as an example, after a detailed review, the cost was reduced from Rs 85,000 crore to Rs 65,000 crore, while also expanding the route network. Asked about the timeline for approval by the center, he said: “Again, Telangana’s proposal will be a comprehensive assessment. It’s a long process.”
In protests against the WAQF Act, Kishan Reddy accused the goal of spreading misinformation among Muslims. He claimed that some land robbers are inciting communities to falsely state that the legislation is targeted at Islam. “The WAQF has nothing to do with mosque affairs. The government will not occupy an inch of WAQF land,” he said.
The minister asserted that the amended bill was intended to protect WAQF land from encroachment and to ensure that impoverished areas of Muslim communities benefit from improved health and education opportunities. He explained: “Only thousands of acres of WAQF land across the country generate only Rs 1.6 billion a year. Our goal is to generate Rs 1.6 billion in the near future through better utilization.”
Kishan Reddy criticized the BRS and Congress, allegedly helping Aimim expand its influence from old cities to Hyderabad and Sesendrabad. He claimed that 90% of other faiths from the Old Town have sold their property and moved out. He asserted that the upcoming GHMC election will be largely a competition between the BJP and Aimim. He said that while Congress is “making a lot of noise” as the ruling party, it could turn into a triangular race, and the BRS has certain races in the state capital.
The minister clarified that the BJP opposed auctions of open government land but supported land acquisitions for infrastructure projects. He accused the state of violating environmental laws. “They did not conduct environmental impact assessments and used floodlights late at night to destroy trees frantically.”
He accused Congressional administration of following the same model as the former BRS government – operating the state by selling government land, relying on alcohol revenue and obtaining new loans.
When asked about controversy over AI-generated images related to Kancha Gachibowli Land, Kishan Reddy denied deleting or reposting any such images. “I did not claim those images were Kancha Gachibowli. I was ready to face any FIR,” he said. He added that Prime Minister Narendra Modi also mentioned using a bulldozer to fall down trees overnight without considering the destruction of wildlife. “If the state wants to promote IT/ITES sectors, let them allocate elsewhere, not at the expense of forests and wildlife,” he said.
In answering questions about Goshamahal Mla T. Raja Singh’s public criticism of the party, Kishan Reddy said it was an internal issue that could be resolved within the party. Kishan Reddy also revealed that the BJP will launch a series of programs starting April 17 as part of its minority outreach program.
