All the President’s men have been lined up for duty on the eve of President Pranab Mukherjee’s eight-day visit to the city.
Preparations for the eight-day long visit between December 26 and January 2 have been in progress for nearly a month now, with renovation, painting and repairing at the historic Rashtrapati Nilayam at Bolarum.
The stretch of road from Lothkunta wears a new decked up look, as missing street-lights were reinstalled and water and electrical backup tweaked for the visit.
The retinue of his personal housekeeping staff arrived in the city three days ago from Delhi, to take on the duties. Arrangements have been made on the grounds to house the staff at the complex. The complex has 16 rooms for the first citizen’s family and 150 rooms to house visitors.
Apart from the security arrangements on the premises, the sprawling 90 acre area is also being made wildlife-proof by the state officials. The presence of snakes on the grounds have been a cause of concern in the past, and in order to ensure a safe stay, the state forest department is being cautious this time around.
“Since December 19, our personnel have been combing the grounds for the presence of snakes and scorpions. From Monday four experts snake-handlers were patrolling the area during the day time. From December 25, we have deployed four handlers during the day and two at night at the premises. One cobra was rescued from the grounds and has been housed at the zoological park,” said A. Shankaran, curator of Nehru Zoological Park and deputy conservator of forests.
He added that cobra and rarely Russel’s viper were the only venomous snakes found in and around the area, apart from many non-poisonous species. The multitude of apes are also being monitored by the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation who have employed professional monkey catchers.
In his second visit to the state, Pranab Mukherjee will spend five days at Rashtrapati Nilayam during his visit and will usher in the new year in the city, according to his itinerary.
Nilayam to Remain Shut?
Unlike the last year, there has been no indication of opening the premises of the President’s retreat to visitors so far. The gardens on the premises houses a herbal garden of 116 medicinal and aromatic plants.
Security Beefed Up
Though there are no specific inputs that pro-Telangana activists might try to stage protests around Rashtrapati Nilayam, Hyderabad city police is on a high alert following vague inputs that they might try to create a scene. ‘’We are prepared for any such protest,’’ Hyderabad police commissioner Anurag Sharma said.