They are torn between two cities, old and new

Transferred Andhra Pradesh government staffers hunt for houses in yet-to-be built capital.

From Hyderabad to Vijayawada has become a painfully long journey for scores of Andhra Pradesh government employees.

Left with Hobson’s choice, they must move to the temporary Secretariat coming up at Velagapudi in the new capital region from June 15, leaving Hyderabad — the city they made their home for decades — with mixed emotions. Many face practical difficulties as they try to adjust to a work-in-progress city.

Some are unhappy that they have been asked to move en masse, when they expected a ten year transition period in the common capital.

Shifting to Velagapudi is a worry for many families with spouses working in Telangana, in the Central government or private sectors. For some, new arrangements would have to be made for children pursuing education. Women employees are worried about moving to a new place with no affordable accommodation and amenities close to the Secretariat.

Many feel the government should have simply offered them a golden handshake.

“I work in Hyderabad and my husband in Anantapur. My children are pursuing a course in engineering. We will have to set up three establishments and it is beyond our means. I am new to Vijayawada, have no relatives and am worried about my children. I have to commute 20 km to work ,” says Sarala, a Secretariat employee.

Satya Sulochana’s husband is a Central government employee in Hyderabad. The Kamalnathan Committee, which is going into staff allocation, has no guidelines for spouses of Central government employees on choosing a State cadre.

“Initially, we thought we could continue in the common capital for 10 years, by which time the Centre would have opened offices in Vijayawada. Now, I have to shift leaving behind my ailing mother and children. ,” Ms. Sulochana says.

Radha, another employee, says the staff must move wherever the government wants them to. “But shouldn’t the government give us decent time frame to find proper accommodation? With only four to five years of service left, we were hoping to retire in the common capital. More than the employees’ concerns, interests of the real estate lobby seem to have prevailed.” Her colleague, Ramanamma questions the hurried move in an era of e-offices.

S. Raman, a section officer, feels that instead of shifting all 2,000 Secretariat employees at one go, they should be moved in a year or two. “Even for a 40-member travel group, elaborate planning is done. Here, the government is moving hundreds in a hurry.”

Senior officials of General Administration Department say there are apartments available at reasonable rents 10 km to 15 km near the capital and , public transport will be provided to the Secretariat.