Rashtrapati Nilayam

The Rashtrapati Nilayam was constructed by the fourth ruler of the Asaf Jahi dynasty, Nizam Nasir-ud-Dauhla in present-day Securdaband, Hyderabad in 1850. His reign began in 1829 and terminated in 1857. During this period, the constructed building called the Residency House was also the office of Nizam’s Prime Minister Sir Salar Jung.

Earlier, it was the residence of Chief Military Officer of the Nizam government. After the British masqueraded, it was taken over and renamed the Residency House. In the 1950s, after the inclusion of Hyderabad in the Indian Union, it became a traditional presidential procession to have stayed at the Rashtrapati Nilayam at least once a year in the renamed building now known as the Rashtrapati Nilayam.

Then followed President K. R. Narayan unto his southern sojourn. President Gyani Zail Singh held cultural programs and Kavi Sammelans embellishing his visits to the Nilayam. Dr A. P. J. Abdul Kalam was yet another figurine to have stepped inside the Nilayam with demanding administrative requirements of the state.

President Pratibha Patil put an effort in making the residence more environment-friendly, planted vegetative plantations and built drip irrigation systems, thereby producing organic food.

The Rashtrapati Nilayam is spread over an area of 92 acres, 80% of which is dedicated to an eco-friendly, lush green environment.

The single-story white building covers a 35-acre land is divided into three wings: Presidential Wing, Family Wing and ADC Wing. The 20 rooms accommodating these wings constitute of Cinema Hall, State Dining Hall, Morning Room, Durbar Hall and ADC Dining room. The structure is about 25 feet tall. The kitchenette is connected to the Dining Hall with an underground tunnel to restrict staff interference and noise.

The building is equipped with a staff headquarters and a guest house enough to accommodate 150 people. During the presidency of Pratibha Patil, the area around the house underwent miraculous construction from being a shrubbery of bushes to a fragrant pilgrim of sequentially organised flowers and 4,500 plantations of different species of plants some of which include Mango, Sapota, Amla, Guava, Sitaphal and Coconut.

To water these plants, a renewed drip irrigation system was restored along with the renovation of abandoned tube wells. This was a progressive step towards encouraging the conservation of non-renewable natural resources. The use of Solar Energy, especially in solar lighting, is highly encouraged at the Nilayam. There is an old water tank converted into a fountain with a green garden with 116 species of herbs surrounding it.

Visitors are prohibited from carrying water bottles or any form of edibles inside the Rashtrapati Nilayam. Any damage to barricades or other structures is barred, and entry in prohibited areas restricted. There must be no handbags, mobile phones, cameras, radio, arms and ammunition with the visitors during the tour. There are food stall providing snacks for convenience.

Tour guides help visitors brief through the geography and history of the Nilayam.

The Rashtrapati Nilayam is at a distance of 8.8 km from Secunderabad and 4.9 km from Bolarum in Telangana, Hyderabad. This distance can be covered by catching an auto or a private vehicle.

The nearest bus station is Bolarum Bus Stop on Bolarum Railway Crossing Road at a distance of 4.6 km from the Nilayam. This distance can be covered using an auto or a private vehicle. And should take approximately 22 minutes.

The nearest railway station is the Cavalry Barack Railway Station in Secunderabad which is at a distance of 1.44 km from the Nilayam. This distance can be covered conveniently using an auto. However, visitors are encouraged to walk to conserve energy resources. Other close-by railway stations are Ammuguda Railway Station (3.41 km) and Bolarum Bazar Railway Station (3.73 km). A convenient mode of travelling is via auto.