Telangana State Secretariat

Demolition of the old Secretariat complex began in early July 2020 after the Telangana government decided to construct a new administrative complex at the site.

Key milestones:

• 27 June 2019 – Foundation stone laid by Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao.
• July 2020 – Demolition of the old Secretariat buildings began.
• January 2021 – Construction of the new Secretariat commenced.
• April 2023 – Construction completed after a reported period of approximately 26 months.
• 30 April 2023 – New Secretariat inaugurated by Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao.
• 1 May 2023 – The building began functioning as the state's new administrative headquarters.

On 15 September 2022, the Telangana government announced that the new Secretariat would be named the Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Telangana Secretariat. The decision recognised Dr. Ambedkar's contribution to the framing of the Indian Constitution and his role in the constitutional provisions concerning the reorganisation of states.

During the inauguration, Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao referred to Article 3 of the Constitution, which provides the parliamentary procedure for the formation of new states and the alteration of existing state boundaries. He highlighted its relevance to the creation of Telangana.

The 125-foot bronze statue of Dr. Ambedkar, inaugurated on 14 April 2023, stands near the Secretariat as a separate public monument.

Key architectural features, as reported:

• Prominent domes – Two large domes topped with the national emblem form the most recognisable features of the building.
• 34 domes – The complex incorporates 34 domes of different sizes, including the two prominent domes.
• Dholpur red sandstone – Approximately 3,500 cubic metres of red sandstone was reportedly used in the project. The stone is associated with the Dholpur region of Rajasthan and is of the type used in prominent Indian government buildings.
• Stone finishes – Red sandstone and light-coloured stone are used in different exterior sections of the complex.
• Domed sections – The prominent domed structures form part of the building's architectural composition.
• Dining facilities – The complex includes dining areas for government officials and staff.

The architects are reported as Ponni Concessao and Oscar Concessao of OCI Architects, Chennai. The Shapoorji Pallonji Group was the main contractor for the construction project.

Built-up area: Contemporary reports give a figure of approximately 8,58,530 square feet. Other published reports give a different figure of 10,51,676 square feet. Since the figures differ, the larger figure should not be treated as a confirmed equivalent measurement without clarification of the measurement basis.

Office spaces and administrative facilities:

• A six-storey complex comprising a lower ground floor, ground floor and four upper floors.
• 635 rooms for the Chief Minister, Ministers, Chief Secretary, Secretaries and Heads of Departments.
• 30 conference halls for official meetings and government discussions.
• 24 lifts serving the different floors of the building.
• A reported design capacity of approximately 2,000 government staff members.

Landscaping and amenities, as reported:

• Approximately 7.72 acres of landscaped grounds.
• A central courtyard lawn of approximately 2.2 acres.
• Parking facilities reported to accommodate approximately 560 cars and 700 two-wheelers.
• Visitors' lounges, dining facilities, a creche, a utility building and fire department facilities.
• Green-building measures and provisions for fire safety, disaster management and other building requirements.

Construction of the new Secretariat began in January 2021 and was completed in April 2023, in a reported period of approximately 26 months. Government representatives described the construction schedule as considerably shorter than the time generally required for comparable large-scale projects.

Reported construction materials and workforce:

• More than 12,000 labourers reportedly worked on the project, with work organised in three shifts.
• Approximately 7,000 tonnes of steel.
• Approximately 35,000 tonnes of cement.
• Approximately 26,000 tonnes of sand.
• Approximately 1 lakh square feet of marble.
• Approximately 3 lakh square feet of granite.
• Approximately 60,000 cubic metres of concrete.
• Approximately 11 lakh bricks.

These quantities are published project figures and are presented as reported construction data.

Addressing Ministers, MPs, MLAs, MLCs, Secretaries, Heads of Departments and Secretariat staff, the Chief Minister described the inauguration as an important day in Telangana's history and referred to the new Secretariat as a central institution for state administration.

He also spoke about the challenges and criticism faced by the government after Telangana's formation and presented the new building as part of the state's administrative development.

Evening: The Hussain Sagar lakefront offers views of the Secretariat and its prominent domes. Evening visits can provide suitable natural lighting for exterior photography, subject to access restrictions at nearby public spaces.

Winter months, October to February: These months generally offer more comfortable weather for walking along the Hussain Sagar lakefront and viewing nearby landmarks.

• Exterior views: Photograph the Secretariat from publicly accessible locations along the Hussain Sagar lakefront.
• The two prominent domes: A distant viewpoint helps capture the architectural features of the building.
• Hussain Sagar lakefront: Compose the Secretariat and the surrounding lakefront in a wider landscape photograph.
• With the Ambedkar statue: The nearby 125-foot statue provides another important landmark for photography.
• From Birla Mandir: The hilltop location offers a wider view of Hussain Sagar and parts of central Hyderabad, including the Secretariat area.
• Sunset views: The domes and surrounding skyline can be photographed against the evening sky from suitable public viewpoints.

Photography within the Secretariat premises is subject to security rules and official permissions. Visitors should follow instructions from security personnel.

Other Nearby Landmarks

Other notable landmarks in the wider Secretariat area include Birla Mandir, the Telangana State Legislative Assembly, Khairatabad and Ravindra Bharathi. These locations can be included in a wider Hyderabad sightseeing itinerary.

Secretariat Coordinates

Approximate location: Saifabad, Hyderabad, Telangana – 500022, on the Hussain Sagar lakefront near the Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Statue and Telangana Martyrs Memorial.

Approximate coordinates: 17.4070° N, 78.4690° E. Verify the exact entrance coordinates before using them for navigation.

• Serves as the administrative headquarters of the Government of Telangana.
• Inaugurated on 30 April 2023 by the then Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao.
• Named in September 2022 after Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, the chief architect of the Indian Constitution.
• Reported to stand 265 feet tall and described in media reports as India's tallest state secretariat.
• Combines Indo-Saracenic, Deccani and Kakatiya architectural influences.
• Features 34 domes, including two prominent domes topped with the national emblem.
• Uses Dholpur red sandstone as part of its exterior architectural treatment.
• Includes a temple, mosque and church in its master plan.
• Contains 635 rooms, 30 conference halls and 24 lifts.
• Replaced the older Secretariat complex, which included the Nizam-era Peshi or G-block.
• Stands near the 125-foot Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Statue, Telangana Martyrs Memorial and Hussain Sagar Lake.