A Revanth Reddy, Chief Minister, Telangana, urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to approve a Regional Ring Rail for the state, similar to the Regional Ring Road.

Reddy made this appeal during his address at the virtual inauguration of the new railway terminal at Charlapally in Hyderabad, which was presided over by the Prime Minister.

He highlighted that a 370-km-long Regional Ring Road is planned around Hyderabad, with tenders already issued for a 170-km corridor. He called on the Prime Minister to approve the remaining sections of the Regional Ring Road as well as the proposed Regional Ring Rail, emphasising that these projects could transform 60 per cent of Telangana into urban areas and attract significant investment.

Stressing the importance of railways in national progress, the Chief Minister noted that Telangana, being a landlocked state, relies heavily on robust railway infrastructure. He also appealed for a dedicated greenfield highway and railway connectivity to Bandar Port in Andhra Pradesh, explaining that the port’s proximity to Telangana could enhance industrial development, particularly in the automobile and pharmaceutical sectors.

He pointed out that Telangana contributes 35 per cent of India’s bulk drug production and sought the Centre’s support in achieving the state’s ambition of becoming a one-trillion-dollar economy, which would also aid India’s goal of a five-trillion-dollar economy.

Expressing gratitude for the completion of the Charlapally railway terminal, the Chief Minister urged the Prime Minister to approve additional railway lines, including Vikarabad to Krishna, Kalwakurthy to Macharla, and two lines from Donrakal. He also requested expedited work on the Kazipet integrated coach factory and support for the expansion of the Hyderabad Metro Rail. He mentioned that the state government has already submitted a proposal for the metro’s second phase to the Centre.