NEW VAASTU-COMPLIANT SECRETARIAT A TEST FOR KCR IN STATE COUNTRY POLLS

 

New Vaastu-compliant Secretariat a test for KCR in state, country polls

KCR believed that the Secretariat not only had bad Vaastu 

but lacked a basic working environment and safety,

especially in case of a fire mishap.

08:30:35 am - Jan 17, 2023 | CR Gowri Shanker

Hyderabad: “Vaastu” compliant Telangana Secretariat building that will be inaugurated on 17 February on Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao’s birthday will test not only KCR’s political luck in the state but also Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) eyeing a national role!

KCR will be facing Assembly elections for the third time in December and also trying his luck to rule the country through the newly-formed BRS (formerly known as TRS). Will the new Vaastu Secretariat building bring him luck in the state and the country is to be seen.

CM shuns old Vaastu “defective” Secretariat

The CM shunned the old Secretariat building located in the heart of capital Hyderabad abutting picturesque Hussain Sagar lake after the formation of the Telangana state on 2 June 2014, citing “bad Vaastu” by his Vaastu confidants.

He ordered its demolition and the construction of a new one in its place despite sharp criticism from Opposition leaders, rationalists, and environmentalists, some of whom had even gone to the High Court for a stay but in vain.

New Vaastu-compliant Secretariat

The new sprawling over Rs. 610 crore Secretariat named after Dr BR Ambedkar is not only believed to be “Vaastu compliant” but also has state-of-art facilities for the CM and his team. Shapoorji Pallonji are the contractors. KCR laid the foundation for the new Secretariat building on 27 June 2019.

For the layman, Vaastu Shastra is an ancient system of Indian architecture based on ancient texts that advocates principles of design, layout, measurements, ground preparation, spatial geometry, etc. It unifies science, astronomy, astrology, and art dating back to the Vedic times for peaceful and successful living.

Vaastu has always been a subject of debate among believers, scientists, rationalists, and non-believers.

Pragathi Bhavan

Since coming to power, KCR has been operating from the CM’s official residence Pragathi Bhavan, located at Greenland’s Begumpet, and at times from the CM’s farmhouse located at Eravalli village near Siddipet in Siddipet district. Pragathi Bhavan, too, has undergone Vaastu changes!

New Vaastu Secretariat

All eyes are on the new Secretariat building after minister for roads and buildings Vemula Prashanth Reddy, who is monitoring the construction of the Secretariat, announced its opening on KCR’s birthday. “It is fully Vaastu complaint,” said a senior official. The new Secretariat is being constructed as per the Indian Green Building Council norms.

KCR, during a review meeting on Secretariat sometime back, justified going for new buildings. “We have to construct the state Secretariat to reflect our self-respect. It should also become a role model for other states. The atmosphere in the Secretariat should provide comfort both for the employees and the visitors. History is proof that no one has prospered because of this (Vaastu),” he said.

Vaastu expert for KCR

Known for his immense faith in Vaastu, astrology, and Indian and Telugu culture and history, KCR appointed Vaastu expert Suddala Sudhakar Teja as an advisor to the state government to advise the government on architecture, building, and planning for the first time in the country.

Teja was instrumental in selecting a Vaastu-compliant camp office and house for the CM. Teja believes that Vaastu is nothing but dwellings with good ventilation, airflow and gravitational power to ensure healthy living and good working environment leading to proper decision-making. In 2015, the Telangana government demolished a swimming pool at the IAS officer association campus next to the CM’s camp office in Begumpet and filled it with mud to avoid ill effects!

Vaastu bug bites all CMs, ministers

The Secretariat has always been in the news for not only administrative reasons and agitators but also for Vaastu in both undivided Andhra Pradesh and also in the newly-formed Telangana state.

Almost every CM, minister, and even some bureaucrats who occupied offices in the old Secretariat buildings indulged in some Vaastu changes on the advice of Vaastu pandits and well-wishers. In fact, ministers ensured they got Vaastu offices!

Secretariat reconstruction story

The Secretariat reconstruction was reportedly discussed by two friends-turned-political foes KCR and N. Chandrababu Naidu, then Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister functioning from Hyderabad Secretariat, on 2 February 2015.

KCR reportedly complimented Naidu for selecting a Vaastu-compliant Amaravati as the capital (which failed to take off) and also told him he would dump the Secretariat since it is “totally against principles of Vaastu” and construct a new one in its place.

Naidu was running the AP government from L Block in the Old Secretariat building in the joint capital Hyderabad before moving out to the temporary Secretariat building in Velagapudi in Guntur district of AP and planned to construct Amaravati as the new capital of AP. But the Vaastu-compliant Amaravati site on the banks of the river Krishna failed to bring luck for Naidu. He lost to Y.S Jaganmohan Reddy in the elections. Jagan demolished Amaravati as the capital and went for “3 capitals” idea for decentralisation of power in AP!

Naidu never expressed his belief in Vaastu but he did allow his brother-in-law and actor Balakrishna to make Vaastu changes in NTR Trust Bhavan at Banjara Hills before the 2014 elections. Naidu returned to power after 10 years!

Vaastu bug bites Hyderabad Secretariat

The old Secretariat building in Hyderabad always attracted Vaastu pandits and there have been heaps of advice to those who occupied it for ages. During NT Rama Rao’s tenure as CM, a wall was constructed on the premises on the southern side to ward off evil.

Former Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu who doesn’t show his love for Vaastu publicly was told by a Vaastu expert that he should not work from the existing secretariat buildings since it is located in front of Hussain Sagar. According to the Vaastu expert, “a building should not be located in front of a pit, lake or a shallow place” as it will bring ill luck.

Spread over 25.5 acres, the old Secretariat complex at Hyderabad dates back to the Nizam era, the G block from where Nizam VII ran his administration. Over a period of time, nine more blocks were constructed; the newest being the D Block, constructed in 2000.

KCR believed that the Secretariat not only had bad Vaastu but lacked a basic working environment and safety, especially in case of a fire mishap.

He took up the demolition of the old Secretariat complex and began construction of a new one on an area of about 6 lakh sqft immediately after the High Court gave clearance, keeping in view environmental concerns. Interestingly, the Secretariat complex will continue to have the age-old Nalla Pochamma Temple and a masjid, rather rare in any Secretariat across the country.

Despite constructing a new Secretariat based on Vaastu principles, noted astrologer Ramana Rao from Bhimavaram, Andhra Pradesh finds the new Secretariat building in Hyderabad not suitable for Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao. Ramana Rao says KCR would be better off ruling from Pragathi Bhavan or the farmhouse than the new Secretariat building in Hyderabad!

But he refused to elaborate why saying only time will tell.

 Old Secretariat buildings

Inauguration of new secretariat on 17th February

January 24, 2023

The new Dr. BR Ambedkar Telangana State Secretariat building is getting finished touches for inauguration in a few days. 

The New Secretariat building showcasing Telangana’s self esteem in a most glorious way that has never been seen in the history of the country, is located on the banks of Hussain Sagar lake which emerged as a landmark location with the famous Gnanabodhi Buddha statue. 

The new Secretariat building is also close to two more historical structures – 125 feet statue of the architect of Indian Constitution author Dr. BR Ambedkar and Martyrs memorial to remember the sacrifices of Telangana martyrs which are coming up alongside of the famous Hussain Sagar lake in Hyderabad.

Chief Minister Sri K. Chandrashekar Rao will inaugurate the new State Secretariat building, which is being constructed in tune with Chief Minister’s vision with the highest quality standards and green building concept providing a pleasant environment of natural air and light flow from all directions to discharge their duties by the secretariat employees, on February 17.

On this occasion, CM inspected the progress of the construction work of the secretariat building, which is taken up by the Telangana government in a very ambitious manner on Tuesday afternoon. 

The Chief Minister inspected the entire area starting from the front door of the Secretariat to four corners of the buildings where the final touches of the construction are under progress. During the review of the progress of the Secretariat work which lasted for more than two hours, CM made several suggestions to Minister Vemula Prashanth Reddy including engineers and the working agency.

On reaching the Secretariat on Tuesday afternoon, CM started the inspection through the main gate. The Chief minister moved forward by inspecting the construction of the compound wall, which has reached its final stage with the installation of the defense systems. The roads being constructed towards the main building are inspected. From there, CM walked directly in the south-west direction, where he visited the constructions undertaken for banks, canteens, ATMs, media center and waiting rooms for visitors. On this occasion, Minister Vemula Prashanth Reddy informed CM about the facilities and other details. The CM inspected the prayer hall which is under construction in the south-west direction for the Secretariat employees. After that, the Chief Minister inquired about the internal roads in the western direction and the quality of the cement used for the final constructions, etc. CM also inspected the construction of the building for the use of the Secretariat employees in the western part of the Secretariat. The facilities specially arranged by the state government for the disabled are examined. CM also visited the vehicle parking area.

From there, the Chief minister went straight through the main entrance of the secretariat and reached the first floor by climbing the stairs. 

The engineers are instructed about the elements to be installed on the right and left sides of the stairs. After reaching the first floor, CM reached the CM’s chamber on the 6th floor by lift. CM thoroughly inspected the false ceiling, wood paneling, AC fittings, finishing touches and made many suggestions.

Later, the chief minister inspected the Chief Secretary’s chamber, the offices constructed for the government advisors including CMO secretaries, PROs and other CMO staff. CM suggested that changes should be made in the CM Chamber. The conference halls set up on the same floor and the false ceiling work carried out in them are inspected. 

CM inspected the Marble polishing and painting works which have reached the final stage in the corridors and suggested the works of art made with GRC as a part of the elevation, and final stage works should be done with quality and more creatively. 

The CM inspected the signal boosting system set up to provide a continuous internet facility in the Secretariat. From the sixth floor, CM had a glimpse of the construction of the new structures taken up along the shore of Hussain Sagar lake.

The Chief Minister inspected the interior designs, electrical work, fitting of ACs, artistic artwork on pillars, and painting work and made several suggestions to the representatives of the construction company. CM inspected the premium marble stoning works and wood works and expressed his satisfaction. CM inquired about the progress of granite flooring, marble flooring, false ceiling, GRC works and lifts.

The CM went down from the sixth floor by lift and reached the first floor. From there, he went down the stairs and inspected the specially arranged fountains on both sides of the main gate. The lawns, roads, parking, and gardening works being constructed in the north-east north-east direction are inspected. 

Examining the structure of all the structures through the map, CM inquired the work agencies and the minister about the work progress. From there, they moved on their feet, walking on stones and crossed the sticks and iron materials used for construction.

CM inspected the AC plants, generators installed with VRV technology and the fire fighting system installed for maximum protection. The street lights installed in the Secretariat premises are inspected. Instructions are given to engineers and Minister Prashanth Reddy on landscape works, sewage works, red sandstone, fire safety works, electrical work and floor works.

Roads and Buildings Minister Sri Vemula Prashant Reddy, MLCs Sri Madhusudhana Chari, Sri Palla Rajeshwar Reddy, MLAs Sri Sandra Venkata Veeraiah, Sri Aruri Ramesh, Sri Diwakar Rao, BRS leaders Sri Dasoju Shravan, R&B ENC Sri Ganapathi Reddy, Government Construction Advisor Sri Suddala Sudhakar Teja, Shapur G Pallonji Construction Company representatives and others participated.

KCR inaugurated the new Secretariat complex, which stands 265 feet tall and is spread over an area of 10,51,676 square feet 

CM KCR addressing the gathering after inaugurating the new Secretariat of Telangana. (Image: DC)

Hyderabad: The new secretariat of Telangana has been named after B R Ambedkar with the intention that people's representatives and the entire government machinery should work to realise the ideals of the Architect of the Indian Constitution, Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao said on Sunday.

Rao inaugurated the new Secretariat complex, which stands 265 feet tall and is spread over an area of 10,51,676 square feet in a sprawling of 28 acres of land here.

He said he considered it the opportunity of a lifetime to have inaugurated this "magnificent secretariat complex". It is with Ambedkar's message and in Gandhi's way that the journey of Telangana continues, he said.

The chief minister said that the earlier Planning Commission (since replaced by NITI Aayog) had kept nine districts of Telangana under the backward districts category but now there was no village as progressive as those of Telangana. He thanked officials and stakeholders for striving hard for the development of the state.

A 'Sudarsana Yagam' was performed from 6 AM and Rao occupied his chambers in the sixth floor after the rituals concluded at around 1.30 PM.

The ministers of the state government also occupied their respective chambers.

Considering the inadequacies of the former Secretariat complex built during undivided Andhra Pradesh, a government-appointed expert committee favoured construction of a new building. The chief minister had laid the foundation stone for the construction of the Secretariat on June 27, 2019 but the works started only in January 2021, delayed by the covid-19 pandemic, court cases and other issues. 

The building stands 265 feet tall, and a press release issued by the government said no state had such a tall Secretariat. It is also one of the largest Secretariats in the country, the release added. 

The domes of the new Secretariat have been built in the styles of the Neelakanteswara Swamy temple of the Kakatiya period in Nizamabad, designs of the palaces of the royals of Wanaparthy 'Samsthanam' in Telangana and the pattern of the Hanuman temple in Sarangpur, Gujarat, according to the release. 

The construction was done "flawlessly" with the instructions of Roads and Buildings (R&B) department, IGBC (Indian Green Building Council), Telangana State Technological Services and the State police department, the release added.