Union Coal Minister G Kishan Reddy has issued a clear call to the Telangana government. He wants them to finish taking over Phase I of the Hyderabad Metro Rail from L&T first. Only then should they submit detailed plans for Phase II.
Progress on Phase II Hinges on Phase I Completion
In a letter sent on Friday to Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, Kishan Reddy made the central government's position unambiguous. He stated that moving forward with the proposed Phase II expansion is directly dependent on wrapping up the Phase I takeover process completely.
Minister's Meeting with Khattar
The Union minister revealed that he met with Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on January 14. Their discussion focused on both the takeover of metro Phase I and the plans for Phase II.
"Minister Khattar informed me that the takeover of Phase I from L&T by the Telangana government must be completed first," Kishan Reddy wrote in his letter. He quoted Khattar as saying all related agreements, decisions, and financial transactions need to be finalized.
Kishan Reddy also shared positive news from that meeting. He said the Centre has already agreed in principle to the construction of Phase II of the Hyderabad Metro.
Stalled Joint Committee Formation
The letter highlighted a specific roadblock. Earlier, both sides agreed to form a joint committee. This committee was meant to have two officials each from the Centre and the Telangana government.
Its job would be to coordinate the Phase I takeover and handle preparatory work for Phase II. However, Kishan Reddy pointed out a delay from the state's side.
"Though the ministry asked for two officials' names from Telangana to form the committee, the state government did not communicate the names yet," he stated. This lack of communication has left the committee unformed so far.
The Telangana government had previously announced its decision to take over metro operations from L&T. It also declared its intention to proceed with Phase II of the project. Kishan Reddy's letter now sets a clear precondition for that next step.
