Telangana Govt Faces Heat Over Costly Makeover of Minister’s Banjara Hills Residence

Hyderabad: The Telangana government has found itself at the centre of a fresh controversy after approving a large renovation budget for an official ministerial residence in Hyderabad’s upscale Banjara Hills area. The residence, recently assigned to Minority Welfare Minister Mohammad Azharuddin, is undergoing extensive refurbishment at a cost running into tens of lakhs, triggering questions from opposition parties and civil society groups.

Official documents reveal that the sanctioned amount is meant for a wide range of structural and interior upgrades at the government-owned bungalow. The expenses have been approved under state funds allocated for maintaining and upgrading official residential properties used by ministers.

The renovation plan reportedly includes major civil works such as roof treatment to prevent leakage, replacement of old flooring, installation of new windows, modern kitchen fittings, interior wall repairs, and a complete repainting of the premises. Sources familiar with the matter say the property had remained unused for many years and required significant restoration before being occupied.

However, critics argue that the timing and scale of the expenditure are difficult to justify, especially when the state is grappling with financial pressures and unmet public welfare demands. The issue has gained further traction as it has emerged that similar renovation approvals have been granted for multiple ministerial residences in recent weeks.

Government insiders indicate that substantial funds have also been cleared for sanitation and repair works at other official bungalows, including the residence of the Health Minister. This has intensified the debate over whether public money is being prioritised appropriately.