Hyderabad : – President Droupadi Murmu is scheduled to arrive in Hyderabad on December 18 for a five-day southern sojourn. The President will be accommodated at Rashtrapati Nilayam, the official presidential retreat located at Bolarum in Secunderabad, the twin city of Hyderabad, during her stay until December 23.
Chief Secretary Santhi Kumari chaired a meeting on Wednesday with top officials from various departments to assess and coordinate preparations for the President’s visit. The directive was clear – ensure meticulous arrangements to uphold the dignity of the occasion.
Officials from the Police department were instructed to make comprehensive security, traffic, and bandobast arrangements. Additionally, Health, R&B, Municipal, Energy, and other relevant departments were directed to make foolproof arrangements as per the established protocol.
Present at the meeting were DGP Ravi Gupta, Special Chief Secretary Sunil Sharma, Secretary GAD V. Seshadri, Secretary Health S.A.M. Rizvi, senior police officers, and officials from line departments.
This marks President Murmu’s second visit to Hyderabad for a southern sojourn since assuming office in July last year. It is customary for the President to stay at Rashtrapati Nilayam at least once a year, where official business is conducted.
Constructed in 1860 as the country house of the British Resident at Secunderabad, Rashtrapati Nilayam became the President’s retreat after Hyderabad state’s accession to India in 1948. Spread over 90 acres, the retreat boasts a landscaped garden, seasonal flowering plants, cascading waterfalls, and various nutrition gardens.
The building itself features 20 rooms, including a dining hall and a movie theatre. It has been a tradition for Presidents to visit Hyderabad for a southern sojourn since the inaugural stay of the first President, Babu Rajendra Prasad, in 1955. In March this year, Rashtrapati Nilayam was opened to the public, but it will remain closed during December for the annual presidential sojourn.
