The Cabinet meeting, held at the state secretariat in Hyderabad and lasting over five hours into the night, also addressed several employee-related demands.
Published Jun 06, 2025 | 9:42 AM ⚊ Updated Jun 06, 2025 | 9:42 AM
Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy (centre) at a Cabinet subcommittee meeting. (Supplied)
Synopsis: The Telangana Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, approved the extension of the Hyderabad Metro network and made several other decisions.
In a significant push for urban connectivity, the Telangana Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, on Thursday, 5 June, approved the extension of the Hyderabad Metro network.
The expansion includes Corridor I from the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport to Future City, spanning 39.6 km, as well as routes from Jubilee Bus Station to Medchal (24.5 km) and Jubilee Bus Station to Shamirpet (22 km).
Covering a total of 86 km, the project is estimated to cost ₹19,579 crore and will be executed with funds to be furnished by state and Union governments. This decision aims to enhance connectivity to Hyderabad’s growing suburbs and ease commuting challenges for residents.
The Cabinet meeting, held at the state secretariat in Hyderabad and lasting over five hours into the night, also addressed several employee-related demands.
Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, briefing the media, announced the approval of two Dearness Allowance (DA) instalments for state employees. One instalment will be paid immediately, while the second will follow after six months.
The employees had sought five instalments which have been pending, but the cabinet decided to sanction only two in view of financial constraints.
Another key demand met was the issuance of health cards for employees. Under the scheme, each employee will contribute ₹500 monthly, matched by an equal government contribution. A trust, chaired by the Chief Secretary and comprising officials and employee union representatives, will be established to manage the funds and cover medical bills.
Additionally, the Cabinet approved clearing employee bills in phases, allocating ₹700 crore per month until all dues are settled.
Other employee-related decisions included forming a medical invalidation committee, ending the practice of extending retired employees’ services (which hinders promotions), holding regular Departmental Promotion Committee (DPC) meetings, and reassigning employees transferred during the Assembly elections back to their original postings.
The Cabinet also increased the retirement benefit for Anganwadi workers to ₹2 lakh each, recognising their grassroots contributions to child welfare and nutrition programmes.
On infrastructure development, the Cabinet approved a major road enhancement plan, aiming to lay 5,100 km of roads under Road and Buildings Department and 7,947 km of panchayat roads.
They will include black topped (BT) roads from villages to mandal headquarters, double-lane roads from mandals to district headquarters, and four-lane roads connecting district headquarters with the state capital. The first phase will be executed under the Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM), inviting private agencies to participate.
Information and Public Relations Minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy announced that the Earth University in Bhadradri Kothagudem district will be named after former prime minister Manmohan Singh, honouring his role in facilitating Telangana’s statehood in 2014 through the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act.
The Cabinet also discussed the vigilance report on the alleged Kaleshwaram project irregularities, the finalisation of beneficiaries for the Rajiv Yuva Vikasam scheme aimed at youth empowerment, and preparations for panchayat elections.
While the panchayat elections are likely to be held by the end of June, no official announcement was made. Similarly, decisions on the vigilance report and Rajiv Yuva Vikasam beneficiaries remain pending.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil.)
