Set LAKE VIEW to host first Andhra CM
HYDERABAD:
Lake View Guesthouse once hosted the Prime Minister of Hyderabad, Sir Saiyid Ali Imam, and since then has been a favourite haunt for the rulers, then and now. It will soon be the seat of power again as the prospective chief minister of Andhra Pradesh, post bifurcation, will operate out of the portals of the iconic Nizam-era building.
The guesthouse, spread over 7.14-acre land, has a (G+1) palatial building with 13 rooms, a dining hall, which can accommodate 30 people, and a mini conference hall with state-of-the-art technology. An 11 KV power sub-station has been installed on the premises to facilitate uninterrupted power supply. Apart from these facilities, the authorities have developed a herbal garden, lush green lawns and a rock garden in five acres.
According to city-based historian and managing trustee, Deccan Heritage Trust, Mohd Safiullah, the property of the Lake View guesthouse originally belongs to one of the richest businessmen in the city, Raja Dhanraj Giriji. He had constructed the building in 1920s, but his family never stayed there as they had several palatial buildings in the city.
After Ali Imam and the Prince of Berar's stay at the building, it was taken over by the government of the new Hyderabad State in 1948. Subsequently, in 1956, after formation of Andhra Pradesh, it was handed over to the state government. Since then, the General Administration Department-Protocol has been maintaining the guesthouse.
The GAD allots the accommodation to officials visiting the state at the historic building at a nominal fee.
Soon after the government gave the green signal to allot Lake View Guesthouse for the AP camp office, works began on a war-footing. "We have to remove a few structures on the rear side of the main building and some boulders to facilitate free movement of the CM's convoy," additional director, GAD-Protocol, G Jayaa Kumar told TOI.
"We have already advised roads and buildings (R&B) officials to make necessary arrangements in and around the premises. Except a few works like painting the main premises, the building is ready for occupation," the official added.
"We have already alerted the state Intelligence and, in a day or two, they will visit the premises and take necessary security measures as a VIP will occupy it. Soon, closed circuit television cameras (CCTVs) will ring the entire premises and a solar fence will also be put in place," he added.
Minor modifications would be required for the CM's convoy to go up to the portico. "At present, only one-way is available to reach the portico and now we are planning to make another way from the rear side of the building by removing some boulders," he said. "We will complete the necessary work and keep the premises ready by May 20," the official said.
The guesthouse seems to be a favourite with chief ministers. Earlier, when Y S Rajasekhara Reddy became the CM for the first time in 2004, he stayed at the Lake View for about six months before moving into to the Begumpet camp office. Former CM Kiran Kumar Reddy also stayed for a month or two at the guesthouse.
The guesthouse, spread over 7.14-acre land, has a (G+1) palatial building with 13 rooms, a dining hall, which can accommodate 30 people, and a mini conference hall with state-of-the-art technology. An 11 KV power sub-station has been installed on the premises to facilitate uninterrupted power supply. Apart from these facilities, the authorities have developed a herbal garden, lush green lawns and a rock garden in five acres.
According to city-based historian and managing trustee, Deccan Heritage Trust, Mohd Safiullah, the property of the Lake View guesthouse originally belongs to one of the richest businessmen in the city, Raja Dhanraj Giriji. He had constructed the building in 1920s, but his family never stayed there as they had several palatial buildings in the city.
After Ali Imam and the Prince of Berar's stay at the building, it was taken over by the government of the new Hyderabad State in 1948. Subsequently, in 1956, after formation of Andhra Pradesh, it was handed over to the state government. Since then, the General Administration Department-Protocol has been maintaining the guesthouse.
The GAD allots the accommodation to officials visiting the state at the historic building at a nominal fee.
Soon after the government gave the green signal to allot Lake View Guesthouse for the AP camp office, works began on a war-footing. "We have to remove a few structures on the rear side of the main building and some boulders to facilitate free movement of the CM's convoy," additional director, GAD-Protocol, G Jayaa Kumar told TOI.
"We have already advised roads and buildings (R&B) officials to make necessary arrangements in and around the premises. Except a few works like painting the main premises, the building is ready for occupation," the official added.
"We have already alerted the state Intelligence and, in a day or two, they will visit the premises and take necessary security measures as a VIP will occupy it. Soon, closed circuit television cameras (CCTVs) will ring the entire premises and a solar fence will also be put in place," he added.
Minor modifications would be required for the CM's convoy to go up to the portico. "At present, only one-way is available to reach the portico and now we are planning to make another way from the rear side of the building by removing some boulders," he said. "We will complete the necessary work and keep the premises ready by May 20," the official said.
The guesthouse seems to be a favourite with chief ministers. Earlier, when Y S Rajasekhara Reddy became the CM for the first time in 2004, he stayed at the Lake View for about six months before moving into to the Begumpet camp office. Former CM Kiran Kumar Reddy also stayed for a month or two at the guesthouse.
