Telangana Orders Report on Raidurg PM Ekta Mall Tenders After BRS Allegations

The Telangana state government directed Telangana Trade Promotion officials to submit a detailed report on the PM Ekta Mall project at Raidurg in Hyderabad, following allegations of tender irregularities and a multi-crore scam raised by the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS).

BRS working president KT Rama Rao alleged that the tender process was flawed and demanded the cancellation of the tenders. He also wrote to Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, requesting a halt to the release of Central funds and a comprehensive probe into the tender process and associated transactions.

The proposed project carries an estimated cost of Rs 2,059.81 crore, excluding the land value, and has received approximately Rs 202 crore in Central financial assistance. The development is planned on about 6.3 acres of prime land at Raidurg, featuring nearly 27 lakh square feet of built-up area.

According to the BRS, the tender conditions were tilted in favour of a private developer, which could result in disproportionate benefits at the cost of public resources. Under the terms, the government's minimum share would be around nine lakh square feet, while the private developer would be entitled to a minimum of 18 lakh square feet—double the government's share. Rama Rao questioned granting such extensive commercial rights to a private entity for a project involving valuable public land and substantial Central funds.

Responding to the allegations, Minister D. Sridhar Babu dismissed the charges as political drama staged for political gain. He maintained that the tender process was conducted in a completely transparent manner and strictly in accordance with prescribed rules and procedures.

However, the Minister directed Telangana Trade Promotion officials to immediately submit complete details of the project to the government, including the tenders, financial model, and Detailed Project Report (DPR). Sridhar Babu added that it was inappropriate to politicise projects of national importance.