Continued from P1

Responding to Revanth’s remarks on Metro phases 1 and 2, the Union Minister clarified that the central government has already contributed Rs 1,250 crore to Phase 1, which Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated. He added that the Centre had agreed in principle to a 50:50 cost‑sharing model for Metro Phase‑2, a decision communicated during meetings involving the Urban Development Minister, the Chief Minister, and himself.

“We do not need certificates from Congress or Revanth Reddy. I am accountable to the people of Telangana,” he said, adding that the Centre has been providing full support for national highways, railways, infrastructure projects, and other development works in the state.

On the IRFC loan issue, Kishan Reddy said the Chief Minister was again misrepresenting facts. “The state government itself signed the Rs13,500‑crore agreement. This is their decision. I never opposed it,” he said, adding that he had spoken to the Union Urban Development Minister Manoharlal Kattar.

According to him, Kattar had emphasised that Metro revenues must first be used for operations and maintenance, and only then for loan repayment. “The Chief Minister was advised on this, keeping in view the sustainability of the metro rail services. However, the state government did not agree,” Kishan Reddy said, adding that all metros in the country follow the same standard procedures and that any differences over technical issues must be resolved through discussions, not political accusations.

Kishan Reddy accused the Chief Minister of attempting to shift blame. “Revanth Reddy is trying to divert attention from his failures. Even earlier, KCR delayed the metro rail project for three years, citing alignment changes. Today, Revanth is following the same pattern,” he said.