The district administration has submitted a proposal, listing out four places in the newly formed district for setting up the new district Collector’s office complex, to the State government. The controversy over the issue continues with political leaders and the general public differing over the location of the Collector office.
Earlier it was decided to construct it at Mogilicherla on the outskirts of Warangal city. However, leaders of Parkal, Narasampet and Wardhannapet protested demanding that the new Collector office should come up in their respective mandals. Even the ruling party MLAs C Dharma Reddy (Parkal) and A Ramesh (Wardhannapet) joined the public in their protests. Narasampet MLA D Madhava Reddy and TDP senior leader Revuri Prakash Reddy too launched a series of agitations demanding that the new Collectorate be set up at Narasampet.
Senior citizens and academics argued that if the Collector office is located in Geesukonda or Parkal, it would be over 100 km for people of Rayaparthi mandal. Speaking to The Hindu, Collector Prashanth Jeevan Patil said they proposed four sites — Konayamakula village in Geesukonda mandal, part of proposed Textile Park land at Geeskukonda mandal, Mogilicherla village and Azam Jahi mills grounds on Warangal city outskirts. There is likelihood of Azam Jahi Mills ground, which is in Warangal city, getting approval. However, Warangal mandal is not presently part of the Warangal rural district but Warangal Urban. If the Collector’s office comes up in Azam Jahi Mills grounds, then Warangal mandal will be included in the Warangal Rural district. Then the names of Warangal Rural will change to Warangal district and Warangal Urban will change to Hanamkonda district. There is severe opposition to such a proposal as people do not want the district headquarters comprising tri-cities — Warangal, Hanamkonda and Kazipet to be divided.
Academic Prof K Venkatanarayana and others representing various peoples’ organisations contend that structure of existing headquarters should not be disturbed. A resident of Warangal, P Vara Prasad said he welcomed the idea of collectorate at Azam Jahi Mills grounds as the old Warangal did not witness any development for decades despite having MGM Hospital, Warangal railway station and Municipal office.