Hyderabad: KTR demands probe into Rs 2,059-crore PM Ekta Mall tender; Bonalu festival concludes
BRS working president K.T. Rama Rao has demanded a probe into a Rs 2,059-crore tender for the PM Ekta Mall project in Hyderabad, alleging serious irregularities in the award process. In other Hyderabad and Telangana news, the Old City Bonalu festival concluded with a traditional procession, the state government announced plans for stricter drug laws targeting campuses, the CURE affordable housing application deadline was extended to August 15, and the EAGLE Force busted an interstate ganja supply network.
🗳️ KTR demands probe into Rs 2,059-crore PM Ekta Mall tender
BRS working president K.T. Rama Rao has demanded a formal investigation into the Rs 2,059-crore tender issued for the PM Ekta Mall project in Hyderabad, calling for the cancellation of the tender and a freeze on associated funds pending a thorough probe. KTR alleged irregularities in the manner in which the tender was awarded, raising questions about transparency and the procurement process followed. The PM Ekta Mall project is a significant infrastructure undertaking in Hyderabad, and the scale of the tender — exceeding Rs 2,000 crore — makes the allegations politically consequential. The demand for a probe is part of a broader pattern of opposition pressure on the Telangana government over large public contracts, with BRS consistently challenging the Congress-led administration's handling of infrastructure spending since the 2023 change in government. The Telangana government had not issued an immediate official response to KTR's specific demands at the time of reporting. KTR called for the matter to be referred to an independent investigative authority to ensure accountability. The controversy is expected to continue as a flashpoint between the ruling Congress government and the opposition BRS in the state legislature. [4]
🏢 Telangana extends CURE affordable flat deadline to August 15
The Telangana government has extended the deadline for applications to its CURE affordable housing scheme in Hyderabad until August 15, giving prospective applicants additional time to submit their forms. The CURE scheme is designed to provide affordable residential flats to eligible lower- and middle-income households in the Hyderabad metropolitan area, addressing the city's acute need for housing that is accessible to those priced out of the open market. The deadline extension follows a period in which the response to the scheme was being assessed and administrative processes were being calibrated to match the level of public interest. Hyderabad's housing market has seen significant price increases in recent years, driven by demand from the city's large information technology and pharmaceutical workforce. The government's affordable housing initiative is intended to provide a structured alternative to the private rental and purchase market for households that meet the eligibility criteria. Officials urged eligible residents to complete and submit their applications before the revised August 15 deadline, noting that no further extensions had been announced. The scheme's full terms, including income eligibility thresholds and the specific localities where flats are being offered, had been publicised through government channels in the weeks prior. [1]
Class X student allegedly assaulted by classmates at Hyderabad school hostel
A Class X student was allegedly assaulted by classmates at the Sri Chaitanya school hostel in Hyderabad, according to a report by Deccan Chronicle. The incident, involving a minor, has drawn attention to supervision and accountability standards at residential school hostels in the city. Hyderabad's private residential schooling sector has expanded significantly over the past two decades, with large coaching-oriented institutions operating residential facilities that house hundreds of students at a time. The alleged assault raises questions about the adequacy of oversight mechanisms within such hostels, where students live away from their families and are dependent on institutional staff for their safety and welfare. The police have been informed of the alleged incident, and an investigation is under way. The identities of those involved have not been publicly disclosed, in line with protections applicable to minors. Parents and advocacy groups have called for stronger regulatory requirements governing hostel safety, supervision ratios, and grievance redress mechanisms at private residential schools. The school management had not issued a detailed public statement at the time of reporting. This incident follows a pattern of concerns raised in previous years about conditions and accountability in privately run residential schools in Telangana. [5]
Telangana plans stricter drug laws; college recognition at risk for inaction
The Telangana government is planning to implement stricter laws against drug use and trafficking on educational campuses, with Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy having held discussions with education and police authorities to address the on-campus drug problem. Among the measures being considered is the cancellation of government fee reimbursement for students found to be involved in drug use or peddling within college premises — a significant deterrent given the large number of students who rely on state fee support. Colleges themselves face heightened accountability under the proposals: if the management of an institution wilfully ignores evidence of drug activity or fails to report such activity to the police, the institution's recognition could be cancelled. The proposals represent a significant escalation of Telangana's response to drug use in educational settings, moving from awareness campaigns toward structural penalties that affect both students and institutions. The discussions follow an increase in reported drug-related incidents involving students in Hyderabad and other Telangana cities. Critics have urged the government to pair punitive measures with expanded mental health and addiction support services, arguing that cancellation of recognition and fee reimbursement alone will not address the underlying causes of substance abuse among students. [7]
🪔 Old City Bonalu festival concludes with traditional Charminar procession
The annual Hyderabad Old City Bonalu festival concluded on August 10 with a large traditional procession winding through the historic heart of the city. The procession passed through Lal Darwaza, Shahalibanda, Charminar, and Pathergatti before reaching the Nayapul temple near the Musi River. Artists dressed as the deity Pothuraju performed along the procession route, a signature element of the Bonalu celebrations. The Bonalu festival, dedicated to the goddess Mahakali, is one of Telangana's most important community festivals, observed with particular fervour in the old city neighbourhoods that have maintained the tradition for generations. Around 2,000 police personnel were deployed along the procession route as part of security arrangements for the event. The Ashadha Bonalu, of which the Old City concluding procession is a highlight, marks the culmination of weeks of neighbourhood-level celebrations across Hyderabad and other Telangana towns. The festival draws large numbers of devotees and spectators, both from within the city and from other parts of the state. The concluding procession proceeded without major incident, with authorities reporting that the crowd management measures were effective. [8]
Sources: [4] India Today · [1] The Hindu · [5] Deccan Chronicle · [7] The Siasat Daily · [8] The Siasat Daily