Is there no future for ‘Future City’, as KTR claims?

Hyderabad, Aug 17 (NationPress) K.T. Rama Rao, the working president of Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), has declared that the proposed ‘Future City’ by Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy lacks a viable future, as the land designated for Hyderabad Pharma City cannot be repurposed.

“No future for this so-called ‘Future City’! A prime example of mismanagement when a leader without direction governs the State. Revanth first terminated the Hyderabad Pharma City project, then proposed a fictitious Future City on the same land. According to the Land Acquisition Act of 2013, land acquired for a specific public purpose cannot be redirected for real estate ventures that benefit personal connections,” Rama Rao remarked in a post on X on Sunday, responding to media discussions regarding legal obstacles surrounding the Chief Minister’s ambitious initiative.

The former minister highlighted that he had cautioned about this situation two years ago in the state Assembly. “After squandering hundreds of crores on public relations efforts, even officials now recognize the serious legal challenges. Public funds wasted, farmers betrayed, and citizens misled,” he added.

CM Revanth Reddy has been fervently advocating for the Future City, envisioned as the fourth city following Hyderabad, Secunderabad, and Cyberabad.

“I aim to develop this city in such a way that people will remember it for centuries to come. Former CM Chandrababu Naidu established Hi-tech City, and YS Rajashekhar Reddy constructed the Outer Ring Road. Quli Qutub Shah laid a strong foundation by building the Charminar. In the same vein, my name will be etched in history forever,” the Chief Minister stated at the CREDAI property show on August 15.

He also rejected KTR’s claim that he devised the Future City concept for his and his family’s gain.

“Some individuals are labeling Future City as a ‘Four Brothers City’. You are all my brothers; I am designing it for your benefit. I disregard others' opinions,” he told the real estate developers.

The Future City is proposed to cover an area of 765.28 square kilometers, spanning 1.80 lakh acres across 56 villages in seven mandals of Rangareddy district. This includes 20,000 acres originally acquired by the previous BRS government for Hyderabad Pharma City.

In March, the state government established the Bharat Future City Development Authority (BFCDA) with the Chief Minister as its chairman.

The government has proclaimed that it will be India’s first Net-Zero Future City, setting a benchmark in sustainable and smart urban development.

“Designed to compete with the world’s foremost cities, this eco-friendly, ultra-modern metropolis will boast state-of-the-art infrastructure, advanced technology, and a pollution-free environment,” Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka stated in his Budget speech.

It is anticipated to feature specialized zones such as an AI City, Pharma Hub, Sports City, and Clean Energy Innovation Zone.