KTR's strong plea to Rajnath for 66 acre Defence land

New Delhi: Handing over of the Defence lands for the completion of the prestigious SRDP (Strategic Road Development Project), release of VGF (Viability Gap Fund) to Metro Rail and the establishment of industrial corridor were among the main demands Telangana Industry and Municipal Administration and Urban Development Minister KT Rama Rao had presented before the Union ministers during his one-day visit to New Delhi on Wednesday.

The minister called on Defence Minister Rajnath Singh at the latter's office in the national capital and submitted a memorandum to him requesting transfer of 66.36 acres of Defence land required to complete the SRDP project and also the improvement of Ramagundam – Hyderabad state highway.

KTR informed the Union minister that the another 39.40 acres of Defence land is also required to develop Nagpur – Hyderabad sector on national highway 44. The proposed 11-km elevated corridor between Nagapur and Hyderabad will improve connectivity and also greatly benefit the cantonment by completely decongesting it.

In the meeting with Union Minister of Urban Development and Housing affairs Hardeep Singh Puri, the Telangana minister urged Singh to release pending Rs 254 crore viability gap funding from the Centre to the Metro Rail project.

He said the project is facing huge financial crunch due to a variety of reasons and the release of balance of VGF is essential for the completion of the project. KTR also requested to hand over the infrastructure mainly hangars and office buildings at Begumpet Airport to the state at a nominal rent.

The infrastructure was being utilised to run aviation training academy set up by UK-based company. He also requested the Urban minister to take measures for the setup of Telangana Sanitation Hub and financial support to implement solid waste management project in Greater Hyderabad.

At the state industry ministers meet attended by Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, KTR had put forward the proposal to establish Hyderabad- Begnaluru – Chennai industrial corridor. KTR said that the corridor will help in promoting , pharma , aerospace and defence sectors by inviting huge global investments.