KCR visits Golconda Fort to review I-Day arrangements

Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao Monday visited the historic Golconda Fort here to personally select a suitable location for the Independence Day celebrations.

Accompanied by the top officials, he inspected the fort and surrounding areas for nearly two hours.

A day after deciding to celebrate the Independence Day at the ancient fort, he drove to the monument, taking people including the visitors by surprise.

KCR, as Rao is popularly known, decided to unfurl the national flag in Bala Hisar portion of the fort. The guests will be seated near Rani Mahal, a release from the chief minister's office said. He said the rich cultural heritage of Telangana should be on display during the celebrations.

This will be the first Independence Day after Telangana state came into existence June 2. The chief minister declared that both Independence Day and Republic Day celebrations will be held in the fort.

Every year, the celebrations were being organized in Parade Ground, Secunderabad, the twin city of Hyderabad.

KCR said he took the decision as part of his efforts to conserve and preserve the rich heritage of Telangana.

Greater Hyderabad Mayor Majid Hussain lauded the chief minister's initiative. KCR was accompanied by Telangana legislative council Chairman Swamy Goud, assembly Speaker Madhusudhanachary, Education Minister Jagdish Reddy, Chief Secretary Rajiv Sharma, Director General of Police Anurag Sharma and Hyderabad Police Commissioner Mahender Reddy.