Telangana CM compares Hyderabad to global cities, mocks Bengaluru traffic

Hyderabad : Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has stirred controversy after making critical remarks about the traffic situation in Bengaluru while promoting development initiatives in Hyderabad.

Addressing a gathering, Revanth Reddy said Bengaluru, once known as India’s IT capital, has now become synonymous with traffic congestion. He claimed that residents in the city often struggle with long traffic delays, which have become a major urban challenge.

According to him, Hyderabad does not face the same level of traffic chaos and urban disruption. He also referred to infrastructure challenges in cities like Mumbai and Chennai, stating that those cities tend to come to a halt during heavy rainfall.

The Telangana Chief Minister emphasised that Hyderabad is being developed with a long-term vision aimed at making it a globally competitive city. He said the government is focusing on building modern infrastructure, improving transportation networks and ensuring a cleaner environment.

Revanth Reddy further stated that Hyderabad’s development ambitions extend beyond competing with Indian metropolitan cities.

“We are working to make Hyderabad a pollution-free city. Our competition is not with Bengaluru or Mumbai but with international cities like Singapore and Tokyo,” he said.

His remarks have drawn attention in Karnataka, where Bengaluru remains one of India’s most prominent technology and startup hubs.

Observers say the comments could trigger criticism from political leaders and residents in Karnataka who view Bengaluru as a global brand and a major driver of India’s IT industry.

While the city continues to attract major investments and multinational companies, rapid urbanisation and increasing vehicle numbers have contributed to traffic congestion and infrastructure strain.

The debate sparked by the Telangana Chief Minister’s remarks reflects the growing competition among Indian metropolitan cities to position themselves as global investment and technology destinations.