The shifting of various departments from Hyderabad to the temporary Andhra Pradesh Secretariat at Velagapudi in the new capital region has slowed down after the initial hype.
The Hindu reported that several departments, which entered the new capital region by formally performing puja and other traditional rituals, continue to function from the Secretariat premises in Hyderabad as contractors did not complete the construction of the five blocks.
This came a few days after it was estimated that the complex would be ready only by August, extending its initial deadline by two months.
"The contractors promised to complete the fifth block in Velagapudi by July 21. The departments will move once the work is 100 per cent complete," AP Secretariat Employees Coordination Committee chairman U. Muralikrishna told The Hindu.
Reluctant employees
Reports suggest that many employees are reluctant to shift to Andhra as they are leaving behind their families and friends in Hyderabad. Many people are also leaving behind children, who are studying in schools in the city.
Many are also dissatisfied as this would be the second time that they would be shifting.
"It's barely two years since the erstwhile secretariat buildings were divided between Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. It took us over two months to relocate and settle within the same premises. Now, the government has ordered us to move about 300 km away and into a building that is still under construction," Subba Rao, an assistant section officer, told the Telegraph India.
Worker Safety Concerns
Workers involved in the construction held a protest on Monday after three men were injured after lightweight bricks fell on them from the first floor.
The workers were rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment.
In May, workers at the site held a massive protest and even pelted stones at the police after a 22-year-old worker, who was cleaning a cement mixer, died after getting sucked in.
In March, a 20-year-old rig operator died after the rig collapsed on him.