Hyderabad: The Telangana Martyrs Memorial at Hussainsagar is all set for inauguration on February 17, along with the new Secretariat building.
The Rs 179-crore four-floor stainless steel structure that took 3.5 years for completion sits on a 3.29-acre site with a built-up area of 2.88 lakh square feet.
Its designer and project supervisor, M.V. Ramana Reddy said the design was inspired by an illuminated clay lamp and resembles Cloud Gate in Chicago.
Talking to Deccan Chronicle, he said “The building is dedicated to the martyrs, who sacrificed their lives for the cause of the state. The flame is symbolic of their contribution and a tribute to their cause. The structure will retrace the history of the struggle for Telangana state, besides emerging as a top tourist spot.”
Claimed to be the biggest seamless stainless steel structure in the world, which has been fabricated in Dubai, the outer bean shape has made of special 316 L type of stainless steel, a type of anti-rust, high corrosion and temperature-resisting steel. Around 100 tonnes of 316 L steel and 12,00 tonnes of stainless steel have been used overall.
“The structure is called a curvature project and is a work of extreme precision as the measurements had to be precise to the minutest micro millimeter to get the perfect shape. It has a modern architectural design with puff material layer in the interior and a mirror finish on the exterior. It has been a scientifically challenging project as it was to be constructed adjacent to the Hussainsagar Lake and we had to ensure that water did not enter the basement, apart from other technicalities,” added Ramana.
The flame of the lamp will have five colours of polyurethane metallic paint, imported from Dubai — with red at the top followed by light gold, yellow, ivory and brown, and a top coating of lacquer.
The first floor of the building will have a museum dedicated to the martyrs with their photos adoring the walls. It will have a separate auditorium with a capacity of around 100 people where videos depicting the Telangana movement will be screened.
The second floor will have a convention hall with a seating capacity of around 700 people, while the third and fourth floors will have restaurants and seating areas with glass roofs. Gas cooking will not be allowed inside the building and only electric devices will be used.
The top floor will allow viewers to enjoy a spectacular view of the Secretariat building, Birla Mandir, Hussainsagar Lake and the upcoming Ambedkar statue.
There will be only one entry gate from the Boat Club Road in the east and one exit gate near Lumbini Park in the west. The surrounding area of the main structure will have garden lawns on the right side and water-fountains on the left side. A Telugu Thalli statue has been installed before the entrance of the building.
With 24/7 power supply and generator backup, the cellar has space to park 350 four-wheelers and 650 two-wheelers. A special ramp has been prepared for VVIPs at the right side of the building.
The building will be open for the public soon after its inauguration.
A challenging project
> Structure dedicated to the Telangana movement martyrs
> Claimed to be the biggest seamless stainless steel structure in the world
> Height of the building is 48 M, width – 50 m, depth – 28 m
> Total area - 3.26 acre
> Total built up area - 2.85 lakh sq ft
> Outer cladding material used is 316L stainless steel, which has been procured from Dubai
> Entry at Boat Club road and exit at Lumbini Park
> Three emergency exits, one escalator and two lifts for public use
> Building will have 24/7 power supply with generator back-up
