The Telangana Government was in talks with Dubai Holdings, a Dubai Government-owned company, for the development of a "Smart City" in Hyderabad. The plan was discussed at a meeting between the representatives of Dubai Holdings and the State information technology Minister K Taraka Rama Rao in Hyderabad.
The Dubai delegation was in Hyderabad on an invitation of Rama Rao, extended during his visit to the Emirates last month. The meeting assumed significance as it took place just days before Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao was to visit Dubai and other Gulf countries from Sunday next. Apart from the discussion with the Minister, officials of Dubai Holdings also visited several spots including the Shamshabad International Airport region where the Smart City may come up. The idea of Smart City was part of the IT Investment Region to come around Hyderabad. Dubai Holdings has a successful record of developing such projects including the Kochi Smart City in Kerala.
Taraka Rama Rao also made a presentation before the delegation on the plans of developing Skyscrapers in the city around Hussain Sagar lake and also development of Pharma City and Film city around Hyderabad. KCR's agenda of visit to Dubai include wooing investments to Telangana in a big way by apprising the potential investors of the immense opportunities available in the State. Already Taraka Rama Rao had prepared the ground as during his visit another leading Dubai company lulu Group reported evinced interest in investing Rs20 billion.