` 400 crore sanctioned for Secretariat

R&B department starts process to issue notification for tenders

The state government on Thursday sanctioned `400 crore for the construction of the Secretariat Complex.

The state Cabinet which met here on Wednesday, had approved the design of the new Secretariat and accorded permission for sanctioning the money to build the complex on the 25.5-acre parcel of land where the old buildings stood.

Following the clearance, the roads and buildings department commenced the process to issue notification for tenders for the construction.

Sources in the government revealed that administrative sanction will be accorded to commence the construction process in next two or three days.

The proposed six-storey complex will be built on six lakh square feet.

An official said there was some discussion that the main building could have seven floors in the final design, but also noted that six was the favourite number of Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao who believes it is lucky for him.

At a recent meeting with Oscar and Ponni Architects, Chief Minister Rao had wanted them to make the external view more attractive, and dignified at the same time.

He stressed that it should be convenient to use for officers and staff members.

The Chief Minister had suggested that every floor should have a meeting hall, a waiting hall for visitors and a dining hall.

In view of the suggestions from the Chief Minister, roads and buildings officials met with the architects to brief them on the approved by the Cabinet.

R&B officials said that the ongoing demolition of the buildings was almost completed and clearing of debris will likely be completed by the end of this week.

There was some discussion on the location of places of worship in the new complex.

One suggestion was to give an entrance to the new mosque from the area where the civil supplies department petrol bunk now stands.

This will facilitate nonemployees to pray there. No final decision has been taken on the matter yet.

● THERE WAS some discussion that the main building could have seven floors in the final design, but also noted that six was the favourite number of Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao who believes it is lucky for him.