Telangana CM Revanth Reddy calls on PM Modi; discusses state issues

New Delhi [India], July 4 (ANI): Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday and discussed several critical issues pertinent to the state and put forth several requests before him.
The key requests presented by the Chief Minister include allocation of coal blocks to Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL), revival of Information Technology Investment Region (ITIR) in Hyderabad, sanction of defence land, fulfilment of promises under State Reorganization Act and a host of other issues.
The Chief Minister urged the removal of the Shravanapalli coal block from the auction list and its allocation, along with Koyagudem and Sattupalli Block 3, to SCCL. This is vital to meet the state's power generation needs, a press release from the Telangana government read.
Reddy also emphasized the need to boost IT infrastructure. The Chief Minister sought the revival of ITIR in Hyderabad to encourage the growth of new IT companies and developers. The project, initially approved in 2010, has been stalled since 2014.
A request was made for the allocation of 2,450 acres of defense land to the state for infrastructure projects, including elevated corridors on the Hyderabad-Karimnagar and Hyderabad-Nagpur highways (NH-44). The Chief Minister offered alternative land in Raviryal in exchange, the release read.
The Chief Minister reiterated the need to fulfil promises made during the state reorganization, including the establishment of a steel plant in Bayyaram and a coach factory in Kazipet.
Highlighting the lower allocation in the initial phase, the Chief Minister requested the sanction of 2.5 million houses for Telangana in the upcoming phase of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY). The state is prepared to align its guidelines with those of PMAY, the release added.
Given the interest of several companies in setting up semiconductor fabs in Hyderabad, Chief Minister Reddy sought the inclusion of Telangana in the India Semiconductor Mission.
Reddy also requested the immediate sanction of an Indian Institute of Management (IIM) in Hyderabad, citing available land at the Hyderabad Central University campus. A request was also made for the release of Rs 1,800 crores under the Backward Regions Grant Fund (BRGF) for the years 2019-2024.
Chief Minister Reddy sought the upgrade of 13 state highways to national highways to meet increased transportation needs and improve connectivity to major towns and pilgrimage sites.
On the speedy construction of the Regional Ring Road (RRR), the Chief Minister urged expedited tenders for the northern part of the RRR and its southern extension, emphasizing its importance for the development of national highways around Hyderabad.
The meeting, accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka, lasted approximately one hour, during which these critical issues were discussed in detail, the press release said. (ANI)