Kishan Reddy Rejects Revanth Reddy’s Charges on Metro Phase-II, Says Delay Due to Technical Issues
New Delhi, June 16 (TNT): Union Coal and Mines Minister G. Kishan Reddy on Tuesday rejected allegations made by Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy that he had stalled financial assistance for the Hyderabad Metro Rail Phase-II project, asserting that the delay was due to technical and financial issues that needed to be resolved between the Centre and the State Government.
Addressing a press conference in New Delhi, Kishan Reddy said issues relating to financial viability, technical feasibility, loan structures and statutory clearances should be resolved through discussions between the Centre and the State Government rather than through public allegations.
The Union Minister said the Central Government had, in principle, agreed to take up Hyderabad Metro Rail Phase-II on a 50:50 cost-sharing basis and that discussions on the project’s technical and financial aspects were continuing.
Rejecting Revanth Reddy’s charge that he had blocked Metro funding, Kishan Reddy said no individual minister had the authority to halt a project such as Metro Phase-II, which was being examined through established procedures and consultations between the Centre and the State Government.
He said the Centre had contributed ₹1,250 crore towards Metro Phase-I and noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had inaugurated the project.
Kishan Reddy said the Central Government had consistently supported Telangana through investments in highways, railways and other infrastructure sectors.
He also said he had publicly disclosed details of his meetings with Union ministers, including those relating to the Metro project, and described the allegations against him as unfounded.
Referring to the Telangana Government’s proposed financing arrangement with Indian Railway Finance Corporation, the Union Minister said the state had entered into an agreement for around ₹13,500 crore for Metro expansion.
While clarifying that he had never opposed financial assistance for the project, Kishan Reddy said concerns had been raised regarding the repayment structure.
According to him, metro rail systems generally prioritise operational and maintenance expenditure before loan repayments to ensure long-term financial sustainability.
He said he was prepared to accompany the Chief Minister in meetings with Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal Khattar to facilitate discussions on pending issues related to Metro Phase-II.
Kishan Reddy reiterated that the Centre remained committed to Telangana’s development and would continue to cooperate with the State Government in resolving issues related to Metro expansion through dialogue and technical consultations.
Meanwhile, at a press conference in Hyderabad on Monday, Revanth Reddy alleged that despite agreements being signed by the State Government, Hyderabad Metro Rail Limited and IRFC, and despite the involvement of Central Government representatives in the process, the release of about ₹13,600 crore had been stalled.
The Chief Minister alleged that Kishan Reddy had met Union ministers, including Khattar and Ashwini Vaishnaw, following which the funding process was held up.
Revanth Reddy also demanded that the Union Minister clarify whether the Centre would honour its earlier commitment to bear 50 per cent of the cost of Hyderabad Metro Rail Phase-II, a commitment he said had formed the basis for the State Government’s decision to initiate the Metro takeover process.
With both the BJP-led Centre and the Congress government in Telangana sticking to their positions, the funding and implementation of the Metro Phase-II project has emerged as the latest flashpoint in Centre-State relations.
TNT TS
