The Interim Government Complex (IGC) here at Velagapudi is nearing completion and is expected to start operations in full swing from Dasara.
So far, 15 departments have shifted base from the common capital of Hyderabad to Velagapudi and begun work on a temporary basis. Shifting of staff, which began in June, is still underway.
“The shifting of staff from the secretariat has begun and will be over by the month end. There will be no delay. The only concern is the delay in setting up of the Internet network and other facilities,” said AP Secretariat Employees’ Association president U Murali Krishna.
“Initially, staff from Hyderabad used to reach Velagapudi by vehicles provided by the Andhra Pradesh government, and a new train to Guntur via Vijayawada was launched for this purpose. Now, only a few turn up as the work stations are not ready and the construction work is still going on,” an officer in the state tourism department said, seeking anonymity.
But Civil Supplies Minister Paritala Sunitha is confident that the operations will start as per schedule.
“It is a great feeling to start our department here. The facilities may not be complete, but it will be soon,” she said, as she occupied her new chamber on Wednesday. Soon, the planning, welfare, municipal administration and urban development departments are going to shift, with the construction works picking up pace.
Despite Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu’s assertion that the new secretariat has begun work from June, the process was delayed due to rain, which hampered the movement of heavy vehicles transporting construction material from the national highway to Velagapudi.
Meanwhile, most of the chambers, including the one belonging to the chief minister, are undergoing renovation as per Vaastu.