Warangal, Adilabad airports must reflect Telangana culture: CM Revanth Reddy
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Tuesday, 22 September directed officials to ensure that the upcoming airports at Warangal and Adilabad, as well as the Telangana Bhavan in New Delhi, stand as architectural symbols of the state's rich cultural heritage. The directives came during a high-level design review meeting convened by the Chief Minister in Hyderabad.
Cultural Vision for the Airports
Revanth Reddy instructed officials to conduct a detailed study of the architectural and sculptural styles embedded in the Kakatiya Kala Thoranam, the Ramappa Temple, and the Pillalamarri Temple — all of which embody the historical identity of Telangana. He called for these heritage motifs to be incorporated into the design of both airports and the Delhi bhavan.
During the design review, the Chief Minister suggested several modifications to the existing proposals, with the explicit aim of elevating Telangana's cultural, sculptural, and architectural styles in the finished structures. Officials were told that the constructions must reflect the state's legacy for generations to come.
Key Infrastructure Directives
Beyond aesthetics, Revanth Reddy addressed a range of logistical challenges flagged by officials at both airport sites. These include the shifting of power lines, diversion of streams and roads, and the relocation of BSNL lines and drinking water supply pipelines.
The Chief Minister ordered the Energy, Roads and Buildings (R&B), Drinking Water Supply, and Irrigation departments to convene a joint meeting with BSNL officials to ensure that all works proceed concurrently without disruption. He cautioned that a lack of inter-departmental coordination could generate 'numerous complications' in project execution.
Revanth Reddy also directed officials to develop a wider road network connecting both airports to nearby district, state, and national highways, and to formulate a comprehensive plan that accounts for both current and future needs. The diversion of water bodies and the construction of tanks within or near airport premises were also discussed.
Owaisi Demands Airport Named After Freedom Fighter
In a related development, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) President and Hyderabad Member of Parliament Asaduddin Owaisi wrote a letter to the Chief Minister demanding that the proposed Mamnoor Airport in Warangal be named after Moulvi Syed Alauddin, a freedom fighter from undivided Warangal district.
Owaisi stated that Moulvi Syed Alauddin, alongside Turrebaz Khan, led the historic resistance against the British Residency in Hyderabad on 17 July 1857, and was subsequently captured and imprisoned in the Cellular Jail. In his letter, Owaisi wrote: 'His contribution represents an important chapter in the history of Hyderabad and the freedom struggle in South India. Naming the airport after Moulvi Syed Alauddin would be a fitting tribute to his courage and sacrifice and would also ensure that the legacy of a largely unsung freedom fighter is remembered by future generations.'
What Happens Next
No timeline was announced at Tuesday's meeting for when final designs will be approved or groundbreaking ceremonies held. Inter-departmental coordination meetings are expected to be convened shortly, as the Chief Minister's directives demanded urgency. The government's decision on the naming of the Warangal airport — in the context of Owaisi's demand — is likely to draw further political attention in the weeks ahead.