Chief Minister Vows to Bring Airport to Adilabad
In a significant announcement made on Thursday, Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy expressed his commitment to place Adilabad on the aviation map, revealing that the groundwork for the proposed airport in the district headquarters town will commence within the next year.
During his address at a public meeting titled “Praja Palana – Praja Vijayotsava Sabha,” the Chief Minister emphasized the importance of air connectivity for fostering economic development and promoting tourism in the once neglected district. “Adilabad, long regarded as one of the most backward regions, where public transportation has been scarce, will soon welcome Airbus flights,” he declared, exuding optimism about the district’s future.
The Road Ahead for Air Travel in Adilabad
The Chief Minister highlighted that the establishment of an airport would serve as a catalyst for economic growth and open up tourist avenues. He reiterated that with the support of the central government, preliminary works for the airport project will begin shortly. “When we approached Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and Minister for Civil Aviation Ram Mohan Naidu, they welcomed the proposal, contingent on the State government allotting the necessary land,” he stated, garnering applause from attendees.
Reddy noted that the state government is actively working to acquire 700 acres of land for the airport development, specifically at a site where an old Indian Air Force airstrip is situated. “This airport will ensure seamless travel for tourists visiting the regional eco-tourism hotspots, including the majestic tiger reserve that spans the forests of Telangana and Maharashtra,” he added.
Criticism of Previous Governance
In his speech, Reddy did not shy away from criticizing the past BRS (Bharat Rashtra Samithi) administration. He accused them of improperly relocating the main barrage intended under the Pranahita-Chevella project, shifting it from Tummidihatti in Adilabad to Medigadda under the costly Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project (KLIP). “They renamed the project initiated by the late Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy government in united Andhra Pradesh, and the KLIP now stands as a prime example of governmental inefficiency, having cost taxpayers around ₹1 lakh crore but crashed within just three years,” he said, highlighting the unacceptable waste of public resources that resulted in a severe disservice to local farmers.
New Initiatives for Adilabad’s Development
Looking forward, Mr. Reddy assured the audience that his government intends to reinstate the Pranahita-Chevella project by constructing a barrage at Tummidihatti, aiming to enhance irrigation facilities across the entire undivided Adilabad district. “We have already initiated processes to expedite this project,” he noted, urging Adilabad MP G. Nagesh and MLA Payal Shanker of the BJP to influence the central and Maharashtra state governments for quicker execution.
Additionally, Reddy addressed the closure of the Cement Corporation of India (CCI) unit in Adilabad, expressing a determination to establish a new cement factory in the region to create employment opportunities for local youth. He also announced the upcoming “Telangana Rising Global Summit” scheduled for December 8 and 9, inviting prominent figures, including Sonia Gandhi. “Ms. Sonia Gandhi promised statehood to Telangana and delivered,” he remarked, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to the holistic growth of the state, aligning with the aspirations for which Telangana was formed in 2014.
Conclusion
The announcement of the new airport is not only a step toward transforming Adilabad’s transportation infrastructure but also serves as a manifestation of the Chief Minister’s broader vision of economic rejuvenation and development for a district historically marked by neglect. The forthcoming initiatives could potentially set off a wave of change for the residents and businesses in the region.
