By The Hindu Bureau

Copyright thehindu

Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has asserted that his Government is committed to eradicate the drug menace, the biggest threat to the progress, from Telangana.

He said the Government was firm on ensuring that the menace is rooted out from the State. It would bring stricter laws towards this end if necessary. “No one will be spared in the process of eradication of drug menace,” he said. The Chief Minister elaborated on the issue during his address on Wednesday (September 17, 2025) at the Praja Palana Dinotsavam, marking Hyderabad State’s merger into the Indian Union.

He expressed concern that Hyderabad city had become a gateway for drugs in the last 10 years. “It is very unfortunate that our city has become a hub for drug trafficking due to apathy, negligence and greed of the previous rulers,” he said adding the Government had therefore introduced Elite Action Group for Drug Law Enforcement (EAGLE) system to root out drugs and build a healthy society. The drug menace was not confined to the city, but was creeping into municipalities and other areas calling for urgent steps to combat it.

He recalled that the Hyderabad Narcotics Enforcement Wing won the first prize in drug control category at the World Police Summit attended by 138 countries and said the Government would strengthen the EAGLE force further.

In an indirect dig at the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leaders, he said some people might not like the Government’s initiatives in controlling the drug menace, but no one would be spared. “Some people engaged in the activity may have their relatives in politics. Some may have farm houses. We will spare no one and will bring out those engaged in drugs related issues,” he said.

Exhorting people to expel such vested interests that were arguing against the steps to eradicate drugs from the society, he sought the cooperation of the people in the Government’s fight in this direction. “We are firm on taking stringent measures against the Telangana drug batch”, he said.

Musi rejuvenation

The Chief Minister reiterated the Government’s firmness in taking up Musi rejuvenation project claiming that it would compete with similar projects like Sabarmati riverfront in Gujarat, Yamuna riverfront project in Delhi and Ganga project in Uttar Pradesh. The project was conceived in view of the unhygienic conditions in which people were living along the Musi river with no where to go. The Government had therefore contemplated Musi riverfront project to ensure that it would clean the river and generate employment to people. Accordingly, it was planned to develop night bazaars along the Musi river once the project was completed for promoting business which would in turn generate jobs.

“This will create a new cycle of employment and business. While the rest of the city will be in sleep mode, the area along Musi will be abuzz with activity,” he said. The Musi rejuvenation project and the proposed Gandhi Sarovar project were being taken up to enhance the brand image of Hyderabad. The Gateway of Hyderabad to be located on the Outer Ring Road (ORR) would stand as grand welcome arch and the Government would take up Hyderabad Metro second phase expansion with an estimated ₹24,000 crore involving development of 76.4 km new network.

TelanganaRising-2047

The Chief Minister referred to the TelanagnaRising – 2047 document encompassing steps to make the State proud on the world stage. From revival of Musi to the agricultural development in rural Telangana, the vision was clear, the vision document would announce thinking, innovation and implementation methods behind several proposed projects that were crucial in enhancing the brand image of Hyderabad. “The document is set to be unveiled on December 9 this year,” he said.