Cabinet likely to approve plan today

The TS Cabinet, which is scheduled to meet on Friday, will in all likelihood approve the construction of new multistoried Secretariat building with all modern amenities. The complex is expected to cost between `150 crore and `200 crore.

Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao, who is keen to complete the construction of new Secretariat building within a year, would place the plans before the Cabinet for approval.

The issue of seeking Secretariat blocks allotted to AP would also come up for discussion.

Sources in R&B department said that the CM wants the new Secretariat to be a single six-storeyed building with a built up area of five lakh sq ft as against the U-shaped Secretariat proposed earlier. The CM also wants a helipad on the premises.

Though Mr Rao had earlier wanted a 10-storeyed building, doubts were raised whether the Airports Authority of India would approve it due to its proximity to Begumpet airport, which is currently used for VVIP air traffic.

Each floor will have built up area of over 80,000 sq ft. The Karnataka Legislature building (Vidhana Soudha) design is also being considered.

Mr Rao wants to go for a greenfield development of new Secretariat by developing gardens spread over eight acres within the premises. A temple, masjid and church, besides a creche for working mothers would also be set up.