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The Telangana government’s decision to go for new premises for the Secretariat and Assembly attracted sharp criticism from the Opposition in the Assembly on Wednesday, even as Chief Minister K Chandrasekhara Rao (KCR) asserted that he would go ahead with the plan.
BJP leaders K Laxman and Kishan Reddy have vetoed putting up new buildings over cost concerns. “The government should have gone for a revamp of the existing Secretariat instead. Building a new Secretariat shouldn’t be the priority of the government while scores of welfare hostels lack own buildings,” Reddy said.
KCR has been pushing for a new building complex for the Secretariat, Assembly and Heads of Departments. After stiff opposition to his plan to locate the complex at Chest Hospital, he opted for Bison Polo Grounds, owned by the Defence Ministry.
Cost of constructionThere has been widespread concern over the loss of green cover — apart from the high cost — with the proposed move.
The cost of construction is pegged at ₹500 crore for 6 lakh sq ft of space. KCR asked the Centre to give 150 acres for the new buildings and widening of the Rajiv Highway that connects the northern part of Telangana with Hyderabad.
Laxman contended that the government should not take away a play ground to construct the buildings, saying it is against a Supreme Court order.
The CM argued that the existing Secretariat lacks parking space and fire safety. “All the buildings there were constructed without the required permissions. We deserve a bigger, spacious building complex,” he said. “We are also planning to construct a big cultural centre, Kala Bharati, to host mega events.”
Scattered infrastructure“At present, the HoD offices are scattered across the twin cities. We need to have an integrated building complex that can help save time while holding high-level meetings,” he said.
KCR also asserted that the government has the mandate to go ahead with the plan. “We are awaiting the Union government nod. The moment we get it, we will go ahead with the construction work,” he said.
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