Government will go ahead to construct new Secretariat complex in Secunderabad: KCR

Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao on Wednesday said the Bison Polo Ground was not meant for public use and the Gymkhana ground was on lease from the Defence Ministry.

The Chief Minister was replying to BJP legislators’ argument that the city would be deprived of a major playground and stadium if the government goes ahead with its proposal to construct an integrated Secretariat complex in the grounds. “We all know the fate of over 19 stadiums and major playgrounds in the city. While some stadiums such as Gachibowli and Kotla Vijayabhaskara Reddy Stadiums are being used for marriages and other functions, people are not using them for sports activities,” he added.

The Chief Minister pointed out that besides Bison Polo grounds and Gymkhana grounds, various other land parcels were sought from the Defence Ministry both for the Secretariat complex as well as the expansion of Rajiv Rahadari and NH-44.

In case the Centre refuses to alienate the said land, he stated the



State government would approach the court as the Centre does not own title deed of the entire Cantonment area. “The then Nizam had only permitted the British army to house its forces but did not transfer land rights. Though the Indian army took over properties of the British Cantonment area, land rights are still with the State government. We respect the armed forces and hence, keeping quiet,” he asserted.

Earlier, BJP floor leader G Kishan Reddy and legislator K Laxman urged the Chief Minister not to shift the existing Secretariat and make necessary modifications to the existing buildings to suit the requirements of the government. Kishan Reddy said besides being close to Raj Bhavan and various government offices, the existing Secretariat complex is a heritage structure and landmark. Laxman cited that sportspersons, environmentalists and other activists were opposing the new Secretariat complex at Bison Polo grounds and Gymkhana grounds as sports facilities and lung space will be lost.