Telangana Transport and BC Welfare Minister and Husnabad MLA Ponnam Prabhakar has called on elected representatives to rise above political differences and work collectively for the development of the undivided Karimnagar district, stressing that development should remain the common agenda after elections.
He made the remarks after a meeting with public representatives and during the launch of urban infrastructure works in Karimnagar city, where he joined Union Minister of State Bandi Sanjay Kumar. The programmes included foundation-stone laying for civic works in several divisions of the Karimnagar Municipal Corporation.
Urban infrastructure works launched
In the 23rd Division, works covering Seetharampur and the Reddy Function Hall Road area were taken up with allocations of ₹65 lakh under the Urban Infrastructure Development Fund (UIDF) and ₹34 lakh from the Municipal General Fund (MGF), taking the combined allocation to ₹99 lakh.
In the 25th Division, Subhash Nagar Main Road development works were launched with an allocation of ₹1 crore under UIDF. Another ₹1 crore was earmarked for works covering Butti Rajaram Colony Road and Subhash Nagar Mudiraj Colony in the 26th Division.
In the 46th Division, the foundation stone was laid for a box-type stormwater drain estimated to cost ₹1.5 crore under UIDF. The project is intended to improve drainage and stormwater management in the area.
The allocations listed for these projects total ₹4.49 crore, comprising ₹4.15 crore under UIDF and ₹34 lakh under MGF.
Karimnagar Mayor Kolagani Srinivas, Deputy Mayor Sunil Rao, Municipal Commissioner Prapul Desai, Library Chairman Sattu Mallesh, Market Committee Chairman Akula Narsaiah and corporators, including Vaidyula Anjan Kumar and Mallikarjuna Rajender, attended the programmes along with other public representatives and municipal officials.
Irrigation, education and healthcare priorities
Prabhakar said the completion of pending irrigation projects would be a priority, particularly those reported to be between 70 and 90 per cent complete. Their completion, he said, would help strengthen irrigation facilities and support the region’s agricultural economy.
In education, proposals would be pursued for a Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya at Bhimadevarapalli and similar initiatives in Rajanna Sircilla district. Requests would also be made for Kendriya Vidyalayas at Jammikunta and Husnabad.
He called for expanding access to higher education through courses such as LLB, LLM, Pharmacy and Engineering. Completing the stalled medical college construction and strengthening healthcare facilities were also among the priorities outlined.
The Minister said coordinated planning was needed to improve education, healthcare, industrial parks and basic infrastructure across the undivided district.
Tourism and industrial potential
Pointing to the region’s economic resources, Prabhakar cited Singareni Collieries, NTPC and the Godavari river system as important assets for industrial and economic development.
He said efforts would be made to develop major religious and tourism destinations, including Vemulawada, Kondagattu, Dharmapuri, Kaleshwaram and Kottakonda. Development of Elgandal Fort and other tourist attractions, along with better utilisation of water resources, would also be pursued in coordination with the Central and State governments.
Focus on Karimnagar city
Referring to Karimnagar’s growing urbanisation, the Minister said civic infrastructure needed to expand in line with the city’s requirements. He referred to the State Cabinet’s recent approval of nearly 1,000 additional posts for urban development across Telangana.
He also said he had requested Finance Minister and district in-charge Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao to take steps to allot the incomplete double-bedroom houses in Karimnagar to eligible poor families.
Prabhakar said public grievances brought to the attention of elected representatives would be taken up for resolution. He urged journalists to contribute constructive suggestions and highlight public issues as part of the district’s development process.
He said efforts would be made to mobilise funds from the Centre and the State government for projects across the region. Reiterating the need for cooperation among elected representatives, he said the broader objective was to advance development in irrigation, infrastructure, education, healthcare, industry and tourism across undivided Karimnagar.
