T Bhavan in Delhi

• Sabari block adjacent to Hyd House is allotted to Telangana
• AP Bhavan canteen will be common to both States

New Delhi: With the carving out of Telangana State, the Telangana Bhavan has come into being in the national capital. A board was put up in the Sabari Block, as Telangana State got its new address in New Delhi.

The Sabari Block is adjacent to the Hyderabad House, which was constructed for the Nizam of Hyderabad, Mir Osman Ali Khan, by Sir Edward Lutyens. The portion adjacent to Hyderabad House, opening on to Ashoka Road, has been given to Telangana. The portion on the rear side and opening on to Jaswant Singh Road in the capital has been earmarked for Andhra Pradesh.

Interestingly, the Andhra Pradesh Bhavan Canteen, a popular food joint in the capital, will remain common to both the State Bhavans, until Telangana finally chooses to start its own canteen in course of time. The Telangana State is keen to have finally its own canteen that will showcase the Hyderabadi delicacies and Telangana specialties in the canteen. However, for now, the move has been put on hold and the common canteen is expected to continue for some time.

During his tenure as External Affairs Minister P V Narasimha Rao acquired the Hyderabad House for the Centre. It is used for delegation-level meetings with visiting foreign dignitaries, including Heads of State and Government. Later, on the land adjacent to it, the undivided Andhra Pradesh Bhavan was built, which became the State Bhavan in the capital. As the legatee of the erstwhile Hyderabad State of the Nizam, the Telangana Government preferred the allotment of the Sabari Block.