Hyderabad: Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao on Wednesday defended taking over of the Bison Polo Grounds to build the new Secretariat, Assembly and an international cultural centre.
He said, “Bison Polo Grounds was not sought merely to build the Secretariat as being made out by some quarters but also for the purpose of constructing flyovers from Paradise to ORR in Medchal and road widening in Cantonment areas to ease traffic congestion.”
Mr Rao also said that there are over 500 acres of playgounds available in the city but some people were only trying to make an issue out of the 60 acre Bison Polo Ground that would be lost if the government goes ahead with its plan.
“We have Gachibowi stadium, Kotla Vijayabhaskar stadium, Uppal stadium in the city. Who all are playing there? Gachibowli stadium is being used to conduct functions and events. I have myself attended the marriage function of union minister Bandaru Dattatreya’s daughter. In Hakimpet, there are 300 acres of playground as part of a sports school. Who is playing there? When I wanted to build a cultural centre at NTR stadium near Indira Park, some people approached the courts arguing that a playground is lost. When I sought Bison Polo Ground, the same people are obstructing. They do not want us to do anything to develop Hyderabad.
“At present there is a small centre called Ravindra Bharathi, which is used for all purposes, whether it is Ugadi or a cultural event or any function of the government. There is no proper parking or seating. A global city like Hyderabad needs a spacious international standard convention centre. Is it wrong to build then,” Mr Rao questioned.
The CM also said the government wants to adopt the design of the existing Assembly building constructed by the Nizam. “The Nizam’s design was royal and we want to protect that heritage. We want the new Assembly building to have the same design as the old one,” he noted.
