Telangana Announces Plan For 80-Acre Eco-Town Modeled on Japan’s Kitakyushu

The Telangana government has unveiled plans for an 80-acre eco-town in Hyderabad, modeled on Japan’s Kitakyushu city, known for its shift from industrial pollution to environmental sustainability.

Part of the “Telangana Rising 2047” plan, the project focuses on practical measures for waste management, water conservation, and clean energy. Here’s a detailed look at what’s in store.

Core Features: The eco-town will prioritize zero-waste systems, including advanced recycling and waste-to-energy facilities, drawing directly from Kitakyushu’s circular economy framework. It will incorporate water management technologies, such as rainwater harvesting and wastewater treatment, inspired by Kitakyushu’s Murasaki River restoration.

Energy-efficient infrastructure, powered partly by solar and other renewables, aims to meet Net Zero carbon goals. The project also includes eco-friendly industrial zones designed to minimize emissions, with a focus on clean technologies like electric vehicle manufacturing and green construction materials. A “Future City” component will test urban planning innovations, though specifics on its scope remain undisclosed.

Collaboration Timeline: The initiative began taking shape during Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy’s April 2025 visit to Kitakyushu, where he signed Letters of Intent (LoIs) with Japanese firms, including EX Research Institute, Nippon Steel Engineering, and Amita Holdings.

On June 2, 2025, a formal cooperation agreement was signed with Kitakyushu’s Mayor Kazuhisa Takeuchi at a Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) conference at T-Hub, Hyderabad. IT and Industries Minister Duddilla Sridhar Babu outlined the eco-town’s goals, emphasizing collaboration on riverfront development and digital innovation for urban management.

Economic and Infrastructure Plans: Telangana has secured ₹3 lakh crore in investments since early 2024, with Japanese firms contributing expertise and potential funding. The state is exploring direct flight routes between Hyderabad and Kitakyushu to facilitate trade and technical exchanges.

The eco-town also aligns with the Musi Riverfront Development Project, which aims to clean and redevelop the river using Kitakyushu’s river restoration techniques, though the Musi project has drawn criticism for displacing local communities.

Skill and Cultural Initiatives: To support the project’s workforce needs, the Telangana Overseas Manpower Company (TOMCOM) is training youth in Japanese language skills, with 50 already employed in Japan. A proposed Japanese language school in Hyderabad aims to scale up such opportunities, focusing on technical and managerial roles in eco-friendly industries.

Challenges and Gaps: The eco-town’s exact location within Hyderabad, detailed funding breakdown, and construction timeline are yet to be announced, indicating early-stage planning.