All hail Dr Sanjeeva Reddy’s contributions on his birthday

The gathering saw discussions on labour policies, trade unions, and workers’ welfare.

TPCC chief Mahesh Kumar Goud, former AICC secretary R.C. Khuntia, and former MP V. Hanumantha Rao were among the prominent figures who hailed Dr Reddy’s contributions.

Several trade union leaders, including Lakshmi Venkatesh Janakprasad, Babar Salim Pasha, Bhaskar Reddy, Naganna Goud, Jagan Mohan Reddy, G.V. Reddy, Prakash Goud, Adil Sharif and Rehman, also participated.

Mahesh Kumar Goud spoke about Dr Reddy’s role in shaping national labour policies, while Khuntia and Hanumantha Rao lauded his dedication to workers’ rights and the Congress party’s ideology.

In response, Dr Reddy said that he would strive for social justice and worker empowerment, vowing to continue the fight for fair labour policies.

General secretary R.D. Chandra Shekar hailed Dr Reddy’s leadership in supporting informal, agricultural, and gig workers across India.

The event culminated with a grand cake-cutting ceremony and a discussion on the challenges up ahead for trade unions in the changing economic landscape.

Surveys of two JBS corridors will end by next month-end: HMRL chief

Survey and investigation works on the JBS-Medchal (24 km) and JBS-Shamirpet (21 km) Metro corridors are progressing at a rapid pace, with key studies set for completion by the end of this month, according to HMRL managing director N.V.S. Reddy.

The detailed project reports (DPRs) require three crucial studies: traffic surveys, soil testing (geotechnical investigation) and environmental impact assessment (EIA). The traffic survey will analyse daily commuter volumes, future travel demand, junction movements, pedestrian density, travel time, and the potential shift to metro rail as the mode of transportation.

The EIA study will assess air quality, noise pollution, water resources, biodiversity, and the project’s impact on local livelihoods. Meanwhile, soil testing will evaluate subsoil conditions, load-bearing capacity, groundwater levels, and seismic risks, ensuring that the pillars and stations are structurally sound and stable.

Soil tests are nearing completion at 25 locations along the JBS-Medchal route and 19 along the JBS-Shamirpet route. The findings will help finalise the alignment and structural design of the corridors.

All studies, including those for the Shamshabad airport-Future City route, will be completed by March-end, he said. The DPRs will then be submitted for state and central approvals.

Picket garden to be renamed as Atal Bihari park

The Picket Garden in Secunderabad Cantonment will soon be renamed after former prime minister, the late Atal Behari Vajpayee. As part of the transformation, an eight-foot bronze statue of Vajpayee will be unveiled by Union defence minister Rajnath Singh in the presence of his Cabinet colleagues G. Kishan Reddy and Bandi Sanjay Kumar.

The Secunderabad Cantonment Board is upgrading parks in its jurisdiction and the Picket Garden getting a major revamp.

Board CEO Madhukar Naik, who recently inspected the progress of work, has formulated plans to enhance the park’s infrastructure and aesthetics.

A key part of the makeover is the utilisation of a three-acre vacant plot beside the park. The space will be developed into a scenic green zone with a dedicated walking track, horticultural landscaping, and modern amenities, including upgraded tracks and toilets.

Spanning five acres, the park is expected to become a major recreational hub. Its proximity to Jubilee bus station (JBS) makes it particularly useful for commuters, metro passengers, and local residents. “This park will not only improve the area’s greenery but also provide a much-needed space for relaxation and fitness, something locals have been requesting for a while now,” an official told Deccan Chronicle.