Telangana CM Revanth Reddy Urges Army to Consider Shifting Southern Command HQ to Hyderabad

Hyderabad, Jan 2025: Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Thursday requested the Indian Army to consider relocating the headquarters of its Southern Command from Pune to Hyderabad, citing the state’s strategic location and its willingness to strengthen cooperation with the armed forces. The appeal was made during the Civil-Military Liaison Conference held at the Integrated Command & Control Centre in Hyderabad.

The meeting was attended by Chief Secretary Ramakrishna Rao, General Officer Commanding, Telangana & Andhra Sub Area, Major General Ajay Mishra, Director General of Police Shivadhar Reddy, along with senior officials from the Telangana government and the Indian Army. The conference focused on enhancing coordination between civil administration and the military and addressing long-pending issues.

According to the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), Revanth Reddy placed several requests on behalf of the state before senior army officials. Key discussions revolved around expediting the resolution of land-related and administrative matters involving the army and the Telangana government to ensure smoother functioning and cooperation.

The Chief Minister specifically urged the army to examine the possibility of shifting the Southern Command headquarters to Hyderabad. The Southern Command currently oversees a vast region covering Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, Goa, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and the Union Territories of Puducherry, Lakshadweep, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, and Daman and Diu. Revanth Reddy highlighted Hyderabad’s infrastructure, connectivity, and central location within the southern region as factors that could support such a move.

In addition, the Chief Minister sought the establishment of a Sainik School in Telangana. He pointed out that while several states have been allotted two to four Sainik Schools, Telangana has not received a single such institution in the past decade. He stressed that a Sainik School would provide opportunities for students in the state to pursue careers in the armed forces.

Reiterating the state government’s commitment to national security, Revanth Reddy assured full cooperation with the armed forces. As an example, he noted that the Telangana government has already allocated 3,000 acres of land in Vikarabad for the establishment of a Low-Frequency Navy Radar Station.

The Chief Minister also proposed the appointment of special officers to facilitate regular dialogue between the army and the state government. He emphasized that continuous engagement and communication are essential for resolving issues efficiently and strengthening civil-military coordination in the state.