Telangana Budget: Warangal gets raw deal

Warangal: Even though Warangal is touted as the next destination after Hyderabad, its other way around, it seems. But for the tourism development and Irrigation to some extent, the Budget 2020-21 presents a pathetic picture in regard with the development of erstwhile Warangal district.

What surprises everyone is that the budget had made no mention about the much touteda projects such as Kakatiya Mega Textile Park, Bayyaram steel plant, Metro Neo Rail Project, revival of Mamnoor Airport, Lingampally reservoir 3,227 crore etc.

Last year, Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao said that 'economic slowdown' had its impact on the budget allocations. It seems that it continues to impact on budget allocations made for several developmental works being carried across erstwhile Warangal district.

The government, which allocated Rs 10,000 crore for the development of Hyderabad, didn't allocate any funds for Warangal.

It may be recalled here that KCR had promised Rs 300 crore special development fund per annum to improve infrastructural facilities in Warangal city but failed to provide it last year and as well as this year.

The government also ignored the revival of Mamnoor Airport by not allocating funds for the land acquisition.

At present the IT industry appears to be making its presence felt with the arrival of IT majors- Tech Mahindra, Cyient and Quadrant Resource, the revival of the Mamnoor Airport is seen as an imperative need.

There was no mention about special funds for the development of MGM Hospital, the lifeline of healthcare in north Telangana. Kaloji Narayana Rao University of Health Sciences (KNRUHS), which is yet to get its own campus has been allocated Rs 1.60 crore like last year.

The government allocated Rs 5 lakh for the construction of Warangal Police Commissionerate, same as last year. The fund allocation to Kakatiya University is said to be sufficient for salaries of the staff.