Focus on recycling and environment-friendly policies to make Telangana cleanest and safest  

 Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, IT and Industries Minister D. Sridhar Babu along with Kitakyushu Mayor Kazuhisa Takeuchi in Kitakyushu, Japan on Sunday.

After a series of meetings with major Japanese conglomerates to attract their investments in the State, the TelanganaRising delegation, headed by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy shifted its focus to studying the evolution of cities as some of the leading ones in the world in terms of recycling and environment-friendly policies.

The TelanganaTising delegation took a trip to Kitakyushu, billed as one of the most polluted cities in the past, before its evolution as one among the cleanest cities becoming an exemplar.

Kitakyushu Mayor Kazuhisa Takeuchi accorded ceremonial welcome to the delegation comprising representatives from the IT Industries sector headed by Minister D. Sridhar Babu. Mr. Kazuhisa made a comprehensive presentation on the successful transformation of the city from being the most industrially polluted to one of the cleanest, greenest and environmentally safest cities on the globe.

Mr. Kazuhisa assured that the city’s government and the companies would work with Hyderabad and Telangana to share their knowledge, processes, technology and experience to help the State on its rapid journey towards the highest levels of environmental engineering, safety and restoration.

Impressed by the developments, the Chief Minister welcomed signing of letters of intent between the Telangana government and leading Japanese firms in the field of circular economy, waste management, recycling and environmental restoration.

“We have a strong commitment to both rapid development and jobs and wealth creation, besides environmental protection and care. Sustainability is no longer a luxury or an option. We are delighted that we will be working together to establish an Eco Town in Hyderabad,” he said. The statement comes at a time when firms like EX Research Institute, P9 LLC, Nippon Steel Engineering, New Chemical Trading, and Amita Holdings entered into agreements with the State government on their investment options. “For Kitakyushu and Hyderabad — two good friends — I agree it is indeed time for exploring Mayor Mr. Kazuhisa’s idea of a sister city agreement,” he said.

Mr. Sridhar Babu explained the growth and transformational plans for Telangana and assured that the government would provide a friendly administration, robust infrastructure, skilled workforce and initiatives aligned with the environment and green innovation. The meeting featured discussions during which the Japanese delegation sought a direct flight connecting Kitakyushu with Hyderabad. The Chief Minister, on his part, sought the setting up of a Japanese-speaking school as it was a crucial gap that needed to be addressed.