Revanth Reddy's 78th Delhi visit amid Telangana's pending demands, projects
Telangana CM Revanth Reddy heads to Delhi for his 78th visit to push for crucial state projects, including Metro expansion and highway approvals.
Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy is set to arrive in New Delhi this Saturday, marking his 78th trip to the national capital since taking charge. This frequent travel to the seat of power comes at a critical juncture, as the state government juggles a massive list of pending infrastructure and development proposals that require central clearance or funding.
A High-Stakes Mission for State Development
The Chief Minister's visit is not merely ceremonial; it is driven by an urgent need to secure approvals for several high-priority projects. According to assessments from early 2026, there are approximately 47 proposals spanning 12 different departments currently awaiting a decision or financial support from the Union government. These projects are vital to the state's economic and urban growth trajectory.
Key areas of focus for the upcoming discussions include:
- Urban Infrastructure: The proposed 122.9-km expansion of the Hyderabad Metro Phase-II, a project estimated to cost roughly Rs 38,595 crore.
- Connectivity: Major road and rail works, including the Regional Ring Road, the Hyderabad-Bandar Port greenfield highway, and various highway upgrades.
- Aviation: Accelerating progress on the proposed airports at Adilabad and Mamnoor, noting that land acquisition for the latter is already complete.
- Industrial Growth: The notification of a Hyderabad-Bengaluru Defence Industrial Corridor.
Navigating Political Friction and Resource Demands
Reddy's frequent flights to the capital have not gone unnoticed by political rivals. The Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) has been vocal in its criticism, with leaders like KT Rama Rao questioning the tangible results of these trips and comparing the frequency of Reddy's travel to that of former Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao. There have also been pointed questions regarding the public expenditure involved in security, logistics, and travel.
However, the Chief Minister has remained defiant against these critiques. Defending his strategy, Reddy previously stated that he would continue to travel to the capital as many times as necessary to secure the state's interests, famously remarking, "Not 39 times, I will fly 99 times to Delhi."
Major Hurdles in Irrigation and Education
Beyond infrastructure, the state faces significant challenges in other sectors. In the irrigation domain, the Palamuru-Rangareddy Lift Irrigation Scheme is seeking national project status. This has hit a roadblock, as the Centre previously indicated that unresolved inter-state water-sharing issues regarding the Krishna river remain a barrier.
Furthermore, the state continues to push for the establishment of an Indian Institute of Management (IIM) in Hyderabad, a demand that Reddy has urged Telangana MPs to champion at the central level. As this 78th visit unfolds, all eyes will be on whether these high-level meetings yield the breakthroughs Telangana needs to move its ambitious roadmap forward.