Ratan Tata’s Vision: Hyderabad’s Transformation from Sleepy Town to Global Hub
Hyderabad: Fourteen years ago, Ratan Tata, in his capacity as Chairman of the Tata Group, visited Hyderabad to inaugurate the Tata Advanced Systems manufacturing facility and expressed admiration for the city’s impressive transformation. Reflecting on his earlier visit in the 1980s when he was representing Nelco, a Tata enterprise selling television sets, Tata said, “Hyderabad was a sleepy town back then. But when I came out of the airport this time and passed through the city, I realized how much it had grown in the last 30 years.” He made these remarks in the presence of K. Rosaiah, then Chief Minister of the united Andhra Pradesh, acknowledging Hyderabad’s rapid progress and modernization.
Hyderabad, once known for its laid-back charm, had evolved into a bustling metropolis by the time of Tata’s 2010 visit. While the Tata Group has a broad business presence in Hyderabad, Tata Advanced Systems was the only Tata Group entity headquartered in the city, making Tata’s visits less frequent. His previous visit in April 2006 was to attend the fifth Graduation Day of the Indian School of Business (ISB), where he was invited by Rajat Gupta, the then Chairman of the ISB Governing Board. However, during that time, Hyderabad’s infrastructure was still developing, far from the modern city it would become just a few years later.
The turning point in the city’s transformation came with the opening of the Rajiv Gandhi Hyderabad International Airport (RGIA) in March 2008, a world-class facility that improved connectivity and attracted international attention. Soon after, in November 2008, the Gachibowli-Shamshabad stretch of the Outer Ring Road was completed, further boosting the city’s infrastructure by enhancing accessibility and reducing travel times across the city.
Tata’s admiration for Hyderabad continued to grow after his November 2010 visit for the grand opening of Taj Falaknuma Palace, a historic property restored and transformed into a luxury hotel under the Taj Group. This marked a significant milestone in Hyderabad’s emergence as a global destination, aligning the city with the Tata Group’s broader vision of combining heritage with modern luxury. The Taj Falaknuma was the group’s fourth palace hotel, following the successful restoration of three palace hotels in Rajasthan.
Ratan Tata’s relationship with Hyderabad strengthened as the city grew in stature. In September 2014, Tata made his first visit to the newly formed state of Telangana for the inauguration of the Schulich School of Business & GMR School of Business within the RGIA premises. This event symbolized Hyderabad’s evolution into an educational hub with world-class institutions. His next visit in November 2015 saw him inaugurating T-Hub, a premier startup incubator in the city, which further positioned Hyderabad as a leading destination for innovation and entrepreneurship.
Ratan Tata’s connection to Hyderabad has left a lasting legacy, with Tata Advanced Systems playing a key role in the city’s aerospace and defense sectors. His rare yet impactful visits to Hyderabad, combined with his vision for India’s progress, have cemented his place in the story of Hyderabad’s transformation from a “sleepy town” to a global city.
