Revanth Reddy credits Naidu for creating HITECH City.
The chief minister strongly criticized the previous governments for neglecting the expansion of Metro rail services over the past ten years. He said that despite growing demand and rapid urbanization, no serious steps were taken to improve connectivity. He assured citizens that his government would prioritize extending Metro facilities soon.
Hyderabad: Telangana chief minister A Revanth Reddy, on Friday, August 25, paid a rare political tribute to his Andhra Pradesh counterpart N Chandrababu Naidu, acknowledging him as the driving force behind the creation of Hyderabad’s HITEC City and its transformation into a global IT hub.
its foundation to Naidu’s vision during the 1990s when he was the chief minister of undivided Andhra Pradesh.
executed the HITEC City project at a time when Hyderabad was only beginning to step onto the national stage.
The acknowledgement struck a chord with the audience, as cross-party recognition of political achievements is rare in Indian politics, especially between leaders who otherwise represent opposing parties.
Focus on Metro ExpansionHe strongly condemned what he called the “failure of vision” in the last decade, during which no serious effort was made to extend Metro services despite soaring demand and mounting traffic congestion.
“Ten years have been lost,” Reddy said, noting that Hyderabad’s rapid growth has only worsened its traffic woes. He assured citizens that the Congress government has already reimagined the Metro network, aiming to connect vital parts of the city such as LB Nagar, Nagole, Chandrayangutta, the Agricultural University, and eventually the international airport.
“Our government will not sacrifice infrastructure development for political gain.
The chief minister also drew attention to Telangana’s pressing financial woes. He highlighted the state’s mounting debt crisis, which has cast a shadow over its development plans. Telangana, he pointed out, has been burdened with loans worth nearly Rs 2 lakh crore, a situation that demands urgent intervention from the Centre.
In this context, Reddy appealed directly to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, requesting support in restructuring these loans. He explained that his government had already managed to restructure Rs 26,000 crore at a reduced interest rate of 7.5 percent, with repayment stretched over 35 years — a significant relief for the state exchequer. Extending this restructuring to the larger debt burden, he argued, would be crucial for sustaining development momentum without crippling finances.
A Rare AdmirationWhat stood out most from Reddy’s speech was his open admiration for Chandrababu Naidu — a political senior, a rival in many ways, but also a mentor figure. Naidu, often hailed as the architect of modern Hyderabad, not only pushed for the IT sector but also nurtured a generation of leaders, among them Revanth Reddy himself.
Although they belong to opposing camps today, Reddy’s recognition of Naidu’s foresight and governance highlights the long-lasting impact of decisions made decades ago. Hyderabad’s growth into a global IT capital, attracting international giants and providing lakhs of jobs, can be traced back to Naidu’s policies and vision.
By publicly acknowledging this legacy, Reddy signaled a rare maturity in politics — one where credit is given regardless of party lines. For the people of Hyderabad, it was a reminder that the city’s journey has been shaped not by one leader or one party alone, but by visionaries who dared to think ahead.