HYDERABAD: The state government is in touch with some ‘private agencies’ for preparing a design for the proposed new Secretariat building on the Chest Hospital premises in the city.
Sources said, the task of preparing the design will be entrusted to Mumbai-based architect Hafeez Contractor. Sources in the R&B department said the government was on the job of preparing the design for new Secretariat complex.
‘’There is no discussion at official level till now on preparing the design for new Secretariat complex. Talks are going with some private agency,” sources said.
Official sources confirmed that apart from locating all Secretariat offices, heads of departments (HoDs) and other related offices, the proposed Secretariat will have its own parade grounds too for conducting Telangana Formation day, Republic Day, Independence Day and other state functions.
Currently, the state government is utilising the Parade Grounds at Secunderabad. But, the ground is not under the control of the state government and seeking permission every time is causing trouble. Now, the proposed Secretariat will have space for parade grounds.
The state Cabinet recently approved the construction of new Secretariat complex with an estimated cost of `150 crore.
Noted architect Hafeez Contractor recently called on chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao. Later, the chief minister approved the designs prepared by Hafeez for new Ravindra Bharati and Kalabharati complexes.
The services of Hafeez Contractor will also be utilised for other structures in the city in tune with the aspirations of the state government to make Hyderabad a smart and global city.
NO PROTEST FROM STAFF: Though opposition parties have been opposing the move to shift the Secretariat to Chest Hospital premises, the Secretariat employees were not against the proposal. Some employees pointed out that the road near the Chest Hospital was narrow and traffic become a problem there. There is only one road to enter the chest hospital now.
“If all the offices are shifted there, the traffic management will be difficult,” the employees felt.