Telangana orders probe after Rs 626 crore jump in Warangal hospital cost

Expressing anger over the escalation in the estimated cost of construction of the Warangal super specialty hospital, Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy ordered a forensic audit on Saturday.

Revanth questioned officials over the surge in the cost of construction of the 24-storey hospital to Rs 1,726 crore from Rs 1,100 crore without any approval. “How will you increase the estimated cost by Rs 626 crore with just oral orders?” he asked officials. He ordered L&T, the firm that bagged the contract, to complete construction by the March 2025 deadline.

During his Warangal visit, the CM also instructed officials to develop the city on par with Hyderabad and asked them to prepare a ‘Master Plan 2050’. 

The chief minister also inspected the Kakatiya Mega Textile Park where he unveiled the Vanamahotsavam logo and planted a sapling. He directed officials to prepare proposals to provide essential amenities at the housing layout for those displaced by the textile park. He announced that each plot allottee will receive Rs 5 lakh financial assistance under Indiramma Housing Scheme.

Revanth also held a review meeting with officials on developmental activities of the Greater Warangal Municipal Corporation (GWMC). The CM asked officials to take steps to develop Warangal as a heritage city. He also directed them to complete land acquisition for the construction of the Inner and Outer Ring Roads and asked them to furnish the full details of funds required to do so. “Ensure a road is constructed to connect the textile park with the Outer Ring Road,” he told officials.

The CM also asked authorities to prepare plans to develop an underground drainage system under the Smart City Mission. Officials were also directed to make plans for laying drinking water pipelines and take measures to prevent encroachment of nalas.

Revanth said that the in-charge minister should hold a review on the development of Warangal city every 20 days. “The government is ready to extend help for the development of the city. Find a permanent solution for the dumping problem,” he told officials and asked them to work in tandem with leaders for development.

Revanth made it clear that the government will not entertain politically motivated transfers and said that he will hold another review on development in Warangal in 45 days. The New Indian Express