Telangana to have new secretariat building

Tribune News Service

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Hyderabad, July 7

The Telangana Government has started the demolition of the state secretariat building that it shared with Andhra Pradesh.

The move comes a week after the Telangana High Court gave a nod to a new state secretariat.

The new building will be built at a cost of Rs 400 crore at the same site opposite the famous Hussain Sagar Lake.

The move of the government to demolish the old secretariat, which is in a good condition, has evoked a sharp reaction from the people, terming it a wasteful expenditure.

A public interest litigation (PIL) was filed in the High Court, restraining the government from demolishing the old structure. The court has now cleared the work after looking at the plans of the government.

To prevent protests, the authorities blocked all roads, erected barricades leading to the secretariat and diverted traffic. They deployed bulldozers, earthmovers and other machinery for the demolition. The restrictions in the busy area near Hussain Sagar Lake in the heart of the city led to traffic jams at various places.

All 10 blocks spread over 25 acres will be demolished.The government plans to complete the work by June 2, 2021. After the secretariat building, a new Vidhan Sabha building at Irrum Manzil may become a reality.