Hyderabad: Union Minister of Coal and Mines G Kishan Reddy and Malkajgiri MP Eatala Rajender have expressed gratitude to Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh for approving a budget of Rs 303 crore for development in the Secunderabad Cantonment.
In 2024, the Defence Department transferred land from Jubilee Bus Station to Shamirpet to the state for an elevated corridor project. In exchange, the Rs 303 crore would go into the Defence Department’s fund. However, the board decided to put this money directly into the Cantonment Board’s account.
Eatala Rajender has discussed this issue in Parliament and asked for a double-decker bridge, metro, and road alongside the Shamirpet corridor. Kishan Reddy and Eatala reached out to the Union Defence Ministry, resulting in the Defence Department’s decision to deposit Rs 303 crore into the board’s account, along with an Rs 11 crore grant.
With this funding, Rs 160 crore has been allocated for building two stormwater drains using the SNDP model to tackle flooding in Cantonment and Boinapalli. Rs 128 crore is set aside for an underground drainage system, showcasing the Central Government’s commitment to the Cantonment.
Future plans include developing parks, roads, drainage systems, and flood canals in the Cantonment. The area enjoys a cooler climate, often two degrees lower than nearby regions. There’s also a proposal for double-bedroom units within the Cantonment.
Typically, land transfer funds go to the Central Defence Department, but this time the board received them. Eatala thanked Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Kishan Reddy for their support. Efforts are also on to establish a Cantonment Governing Body, with hopes of board elections soon. CEO Madhukar Nayak, Board Member Narmada Mallikarjuna, and Corporator Deepika attended the media conference.
