A bullet-proof fortress: Telangana CM KCR to move into swanky new bungalow
Telangana chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao is known to enjoy his Z+ security status when he travels, whether it is his many bullet-proof Toyota Land Cruiser Prados, or his luxury bus worth Rs 5 crore, manufactured by Mercedes Benz.
However, nothing beats his latest palatial residence in Begumpet in Hyderabad, which is reported to be guarded like a fortress with 50 personnel, bullet-proofed bathrooms, windows and ventilators worth several lakh rupees.
Reporting that these measures were based on recommendations of state intelligence officials, the Times of India added that those hoping to step inside, will need to surrender their phones, watches and other metal objects, before being thoroughly frisked.
The bungalow, also boasts of one lakh square feet of office space.
The Hindu reported that the entire compound was spread out over an area of 8.9 acres, and built at an estimated cost of Rs. 33 crore, with a large space that can be used to park up to 200 cars.
Even as critics question the necessity of his latest move, other reports suggest that the chief minister plans to visit Tirumala before the end of this month to present the idol of Lord Venkateswara Swamy with two necklaces, besides a nose stud to goddess Padmavathi Ammavaru at Tiruchanuru, and another one for the Kanakadurga temple in Vijayawada.
This was part of his promise to make offerings to the gods if Telangana's statehood was granted.
All of this is reported to be sanctioned by the state exchequer in the form of Government Orders.
In October, the chief minister with his family, presented a 11.7kg gold crown that was worth over Rs 3 crore to Goddess Bhadrakali at Warangal, on the occasion of Durga Navratri.
In April this year, the chief minister offered gold ornaments worth Rs 5 crore, also from the state exchequer to Lord Venkateswara in Tirumala.
In December 2015, KCR was heavily criticized after he conducted a 'Ayutha Chandi Maha Yagam,' to please the gods at his 120-acre farmhouse at Erravalli village in Telangana's Medak district, even as the state was reeling through a severe agrarian crisis, with farmers killing themselves just three kms away.