Bibi Nagar, Uppal, Bhongir, Hyderabad, Ghatkesar will become one corridor: KCR

Hyderabad: Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao said Bibi Nagar, Uppal, Bhongir, Hyderabad, and Ghatkesar will become one corridor and though district names will be different, all will have the atmosphere of being with Hyderabad.

On 13 February, as part of the Yadadri tour, the CM inaugurated the integrated collectorate complex. Later, speaking at a review meeting, KCR said, "I congratulate people in Yadadri district, officials, and public representatives for creating Bhongir-Yadadri district in a wonderful way and starting a wonderful district collectorate."

Formation of new districts

"In the past, new districts were formed in the country, but they were not formed in the united AP and West Bengal states. This did not happen despite requests from some quarters. During NTR's regime, he said he would form the Mancherial district but he could not do so for various reasons. Due to some apprehensions and lack of proper methods, new districts could not be formed. When we thought of forming a new district, the first person I contacted was the Chhattisgarh chief advisor. I had met him a dozen times during the Telangana statehood movement. Then a majority of people had doubted whether the Telangana state would be formed. They thought we were fighting for it due to suspicion and lack of confidence. But we were confident that we would get Telangana state."

He added, "We inquired with the Chhattisgarh advisor and found out the steps they had taken when Chhattisgarh was carved out of MP. There were many jokes about Bastar district in Chhattisgarh, that it was bigger than Kerala. Now it has been made into four or five districts. The Chhattisgarh advisor played a major role in it. We asked him about it and he said if the population is 10 to 12 lakh it is easy to form a district and under special circumstances, one should go ahead and create a new district."

He further said, "Now, Bibi Nagar, Uppal, Bhongir, Hyderabad, and Ghatkesar will become one corridor. District names will be different but all will have the atmosphere of being with Hyderabad. After this Aler, Jangaon, Ghanpur, Hanmakonda, and Warangal corridor will follow. "The growth that will come to Bhongir, Jangaon, Hanmakonda, Warangal, and Medchal district headquarters, a common man cannot even visualize," KCR said.

Land prices

Stating that land rates in Bhongir and Yadadri have hit sky-high he said, "Even if one goes to a remote village, an acre land is not available for less than Rs. 25 to 30 lakh. On the Karnataka border, lands are available for Rs. 4 to 5 lakh per acre while on our side, it is Rs. 25 lakh and more. This is what MLA Rammohan Reddy told me. Land rates have increased in the remote areas of Adilabad forest district, Achampet, and Narayanpet districts," KCR said.

Mission Kakatiya and groundwater restoration

KCR said due to the efforts of the Cabinet, chief secretary, and officials, the groundwater levels had improved. "In the past, even if one dug up to 800 to 900 feet, water would not be available in Bhongir, Aler, Turkapally, and Rajapet. Now, groundwater is available at a depth of 20-30 feet. This shows how many departments worked with commitment and dedication," the CM said.

KCR added that agriculture lands have been divided into 2,600 clusters, an officer appointed per cluster, and a Rythu Vedika constructed. All tanks have been revived and silt removed under the Mission Kakatiya programme. Tanks are brimming with water and check dams have been constructed on the streams, the CM said.

Dalit Bandhu scheme

KCR also highlighted the benefits of the Dalit Bandhu scheme. "We have launched the Dalit Bandhu programme. It needs guts. The scheme provided opportunities for Dalits to lead a life with self-respect. We have established residential schools for Dalits. We are spending Rs. 1.28 lakh per student per year. They are studying very well. I read in today's news reports that they are getting admissions into IITs, medical colleges, NEET, and civil services. Earlier, the opportunity to study abroad was available to a few. Today, financial assistance of Rs. 20 lakh is being provided to poor students to pursue education abroad. Telangana is the only state which is providing this in the country," the CM said.

The programme was attended by ministers G. Jagdeesh Reddy, Vemula Prashanth Reddy, and Indrakaran Reddy; MPs J. Santosh Kumar, B. Lingaiah Yadav, and Komatireddy Venkat Reddy; MLCs A. Krishna Reddy, Gutta Sukhender Reddy, Palla Rajeshwar Reddy, M.C Koti Reddy, and A. Narsireddy; and MLAs G. Sunitha Mahender Reddy, Pailla Sekhar Reddy, and Gyaderi Kishore.