TS government to hold I-Day celebrations at Golkonda Fort

Hyderabad: The historic Golkonda Fort would be the venue for the Independence Day celebrations in Telangana State. The Government has started preparations at the preferred venue for the national festival, which will be celebrated for the second time after formation of the new State. Chief secretary Rajeev Sharma has directed officials of all government departments to make arrangements for the Independence Day celebrations at Golkonda Fort on a grand scale on August 15 as was done last year.

Reviewing the arrangements with officials at secretariat here on Monday, he said Chief Minister K Chandrasekhara Rao will hoist the tricolor at 10 am after paying tributes at the Sainik Smarak. Important buildings and structures in twin cities including Raj Bhavan, Secretariat, Assembly and Charminar should be illuminated on the occasion, he instructed. Suitable security, parking arrangements should also be made to receive the dignitaries participating in the celebrations.

The chief secretary told the officials to see that there should be continuous power supply, erection of barricading, provision



of facilities like drinking water supply, installation of signage boards en route to Golconda, maintenance of hygienic surroundings, pressing into service mobile toilets, operation of special mini buses by the Telangana State Road transport Corporation, flower decoration on the dais, LED screens and installation of public address system. Cultural events by various artistes would be organized highlighting Telangana culture at the venue for the occasion, he said.

Director General of Police Anurag Sharma, political secretary Vikas Raj, city police commissioner Mahender Reddy, SPF Director General Tej Deep Kaur Menon, Tourism And Culture secretary B Venkatesam, HMWSSB managing director Jagadishwar, additional DGP (Law and order) Sudeep Laktakia, Intelligence IG Mahesh Bhagawat, protocol director Harvinder Singh, GHMC zonal commissioner Kishan, Information And Public Relations director V Subash, director for department of Culture Harikrishna and higher officials from R and B, Protocol, Medical and Health, Horticulture, Fire, Archaeology, RTC and other departments took part in the meeting.