The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Delhi to have new AP Bhavan

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Jun 30, 2005

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Delhi to have new AP Bhavan

M. Malleswara Rao

HYDERABAD: The Andhra Pradesh Government will construct a brand new AP Bhavan in Delhi replacing the existing one, with a commercial angle to get an annual income of about Rs. 80 crores to the ex-chequer.

AP Bhavan has nearly 20.2 acres under its control including 7.6 acres occupied by Pataudi House, which was given by the Central Government in lieu of Hyderabad House.

The bhavan has a suite for the Governor and three blocks -- Godavari, Swarnamukhi and Sabari. It consists of a cafeteria whose Andhra flavours are relished by Delhiites, and the office of the State's Resident Commissioner who has been asked to do liaison work for getting clearances for pending irrigation projects.

Blueprints ready

Official sources told The Hindu here on Wednesday that blueprints have been prepared to construct the new AP Bhavan complex at a cost of Rs. 210 crores, with a commercial extension to put the precious land in the heart of New Delhi to economic use. The Chief Minister, Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, has reportedly given the green signal to the Resident Commissioner to go ahead with the plan.

Under the plan, a seven-storey institutional building will come up in place of the existing complex for commercial purposes on rent restricting the benefit to Government offices or undertakings. The complex with the Chief Minister's camp office, Governor's suite, office of the Resident Commissioner and cafeteria will be shifted to land in Pataudi House.

Helipad being enclosed

The Andhra Pradesh Infrastructure Development Corporation will be made the nodal agency for implementing the project while an empowered committee headed by the Chief Secretary will monitor it.

Meanwhile, back at the Secretariat here, the area around the helipad is being landscaped and enclosed with grills.

A police outpost is to be posted in view of the security risks following escalated violence by naxalites. Plans have also been finalised to add two more storeys on the `H' block with 80,000 sqft at a cost of Rs 1.10 crores.

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Andhra Pradesh