Hyderabad Must Grow as a Cleaner, Better and Progressive City: CM Revanth Reddy

Hyderabad, March 2026 : Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Tuesday called for a comprehensive approach to urban development, emphasizing the need to widen roads, restore lakes, remove canal encroachments and create open spaces for children to transform Hyderabad into a cleaner and more progressive city.

The Chief Minister was speaking after inaugurating the renovated Nallacheruvu lake at Kukatpally, which was restored by the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Assets Protection Agency (HYDRAA). On the occasion, special pujas were performed at the lake and aarti was offered to Goddess Gangamma. As part of the traditional ceremony, silk clothes and turmeric were offered at the tank before the Chief Minister addressed a gathering of local residents and officials.

Highlighting the importance of preserving the city’s natural resources, the Chief Minister said Hyderabad is already counted among the safest metropolitan cities in the country. However, he stressed that immediate action is needed to remove illegal encroachments, reduce pollution and restore water bodies, particularly the Musi River. He warned that if these issues are ignored, future generations would not forgive the present leadership for failing to protect the environment.

Revanth Reddy recalled that when the HYDRAA agency was set up and restoration works began across the city, some sections had criticised the initiative. “I had no ill intentions behind the move. Seeing the happiness and satisfaction on the faces of thousands of people after the restoration of Nallacheruvu gives me immense joy,” he said.

The Chief Minister also proposed the development of small business centres and stalls around lake parks to create employment and livelihood opportunities for local residents. At the same time, he highlighted the urgent need for more open spaces and playgrounds for children in rapidly expanding urban neighbourhoods. He suggested that playgrounds and recreational spaces be developed along tank bunds while restoring other lakes and water bodies in surrounding areas.

Acknowledging that development activities may sometimes cause inconvenience to certain sections of people, the Chief Minister assured that the government would ensure justice and fair treatment to all affected families. He said the government would provide double-bedroom houses and appropriate compensation to those who are genuinely displaced due to development projects.

Revanth Reddy reiterated that the state government is ready to allocate the necessary funds for the development of the region and urged people, leaders and stakeholders to work together beyond political differences for the larger goal of improving the city.

Referring to successful riverfront development models in the country, including the Sabarmati, Yamuna and Ganga riverfronts, he said similar efforts should be undertaken to clean, rejuvenate and beautify the Musi River.

Several public representatives and officials, including Vem Narender Reddy, Arikepudi Gandhi, Madhavaram Krishna Rao, Ramachandru Nayak, Naveen Rao, municipal corporation commissioners and other senior officers, were present at the programme.