CM Revanth Reddy orders SIT probe into alleged irregularities in Outer Ring Road contract
Hyderabad: Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy announced the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate alleged irregularities in the Outer Ring Road (ORR) contract on December 19, 2024, during a session of the Telangana Legislative Assembly.
In May 2023, the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) awarded IRB Infrastructure Developers Limited a 30-year Toll-Operate-Transfer (TOT) contract for the ORR. The contract, valued at ₹7,380 crore, was reportedly much lower than the projected revenue of ₹18,000 crore over the same period. The 158-kilometer expressway surrounding the city has been controversial due to concerns about toll collection and maintenance contracts.
Opposition leaders, including Revanth Reddy, the then TPCC chief, accused the government of causing a potential revenue loss of ₹15,000 crore. He had also offered to arrange a ₹15,000 crore loan if the contract was canceled and the ORR was brought under government control.
Reports also emerged suggesting that IRB Infrastructure made a ₹25 crore donation to the ruling party shortly after securing the contract, raising questions about the transparency of the tendering process.
Following a shift in government leadership in February 2024, Revanth Reddy initiated an investigation into the issue. The Chief Minister has requested that the HMDA Joint Commissioner provide a comprehensive report on the tendering process and associated procedures. The SIT investigation is the most recent update in the inquiry regarding the ORR contract.
