Telangana CM Accelerates Highway Projects: A Push for Swift Land Acquisition

Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has issued a clear directive to officials: expedite land acquisition for national highway construction and ensure timely, fair compensation reaches all affected families without delay. The Chief Minister stressed the importance of a humane approach during land acquisition. Officials are tasked with clearly communicating the long-term benefits of highway development to those giving up their land, thereby streamlining the process. He also called for the swift resolution of any pending arbitration cases. During a recent meeting with representatives from the National Highways Authority of India, the National Highways department, and the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, the Chief Minister thoroughly reviewed the progress and proposals for both current and future highway projects. Expressing concern over persistent delays, Chief Minister Reddy questioned why work on national highways was stalled even after receiving central allocations and in-principle approvals. He emphasized that minor obstacles should not hinder major infrastructure development and ordered officials to swiftly overcome these issues. His directive was to finalize all land acquisition procedures and kickstart construction on existing projects without further procrastination. During the review, the Chief Minister specifically grilled NHAI officials about recurring queries regarding the northern section of the regional ring road, especially given that the State government had repeatedly provided clarifications. The NHAI officials, in turn, reassured him that all doubts were cleared and committed to proactively flagging any future concerns directly to the State government. Furthermore, Mr. Revanth Reddy urged NHAI officials to unify the northern and southern sections of the Regional Ring Road (RRR) under a single project designation. He sought the national authority’s full cooperation to grant simultaneous permissions for both sections, facilitating a concurrent start to construction. Shifting focus to the ambitious Bharat Future City, the Chief Minister requested NHAI approval for a crucial greenfield expressway connecting the Future City, Amaravati, and Machilipatnam. He highlighted the government’s plan to develop dryports, logistics hubs, and industrial parks within Future City, making this expressway vital for efficient goods and passenger movement between the two Telugu states’ capital regions. This new route promises to shave off 70 km from the Hyderabad-Vijayawada journey and unlock significant revenue from increased freight traffic. He urged officials to secure necessary permissions for the expressway under the PM Gati Shakti program or similar initiatives and finalize its alignment promptly. Additionally, the government is advocating for a parallel railway line, which would establish critical connectivity between Bengaluru, Shamshabad International Airport, and Amaravati. The Chief Minister also pressed for approvals for an elevated corridor between Raviryal and Mannanur on the busy Hyderabad-Srisailam highway, aiming to kickstart its construction. To clear the path, he instructed Chief Secretary K. Ramakrishna Rao to prioritize resolving all outstanding National Green Tribunal cases related to the felling of large trees along this route. Mr. Reddy mandated officials to compile a detailed report on all pending cases and forward it to the Advocate General for rapid resolution. He set a firm deadline of October 31 for officials to settle all outstanding land acquisition cases, ensuring construction can begin promptly. He also warned that any district collectors or lower-level officials found negligent in their duties would face strict action. Finally, in response to a request from NHAI officials for a two-acre land allotment for their office, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy instructed his team to swiftly identify suitable land and initiate the transfer process in favor of the National Highways Authority of India.