Telangana To Be A Model For Innovation: Governor

Telangana Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla today said that the State government was building a Telangana that would emerge as a leader in innovation, a heaven for the vulnerable and a model for the world.

The Telangana Assembly's Budget Session began with the Governor's address to a joint sitting of both legislative chambers. During the session, Shukla presented the Congress government's ambitious objectives, and cited its "accomplishments" since assuming office in the State.

He elaborated on the administration's strategic blueprint - Telangana Rising 2047 - which envisioned the State evolving into a $3 trillion economy by 2047, with an intermediate milestone of $1 trillion set for 2034. The Governor also said that the State's Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) for the 2025-26 fiscal year was projected to reach Rs 17.82 lakh crore, with an anticipated growth rate of 10.7% and a per capita income of Rs 4.18 lakh.

"Telangana stands at the threshold of an extraordinary transformation. This Budget is not just about financial allocations - it is about shaping a stronger, more resilient Telangana. It is a roadmap for progress, a commitment to justice, and a promise to every citizen that their aspirations matter," the Governor said.

He also said that the government's resolve was unshakable, and that every policy, initiative and reform introduced was aimed at creating opportunities, empowering people and driving inclusive growth. The vision was clear, the direction was set and the momentum was unstoppable, he said.

Shukla also said that the government was revitalizing Hyderabad's ecological corridor through the 55-km Musi Riverfront Transformation Project, extending from the Osman Sagar and Himayat Sagar reservoirs to Gandhi Sarovar.

He said that Phase I of the project was currently under implementation. As part of the Musi rejuvenation initiative, Godavari Phase II and III projects had already been sanctioned and work was progressing at a brisk pace, and the projects would provide 2.5 TMC of water for the Musi rejuvenation by linking Osman Sagar and Himayat Sagar, and supply 300 MGD of drinking water to the Core Urban Region (CURE) area, he said.

He added that 45 Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) were currently operational and 39 more under construction. The treated water would be supplied to data centres, for landscaping along the ORR, for industrial purposes and for the construction industry, he said.

The Governor also spoke about the Gandhi Sarovar Project, envisioned as a world-class experiential centre dedicated to the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi, at the confluence of the Musa and Esa rivulets.

He also said that the State government had prepared plans to promote eco-temple tourism, integrating spiritual heritage with sustainable tourism development in Telangana. In preparation for the upcoming Godavari Pushkaralu next year, the government would develop temples located along the banks of the Godavari river, from Basar to Bhadrachalam, ensuring better infrastructure and facilities for pilgrims, he added.