Explainer / Presidential Retreats

• President Droupadi Murmu began her five-day winter sojourn at the Rashtrapati Nilayam in Secunderabad Cantonment in Hyderabad, one of the presidential retreats. 

• At present, there are two presidential retreats — the Retreat Building in Shimla and Rashtrapati Nilayam in Hyderabad — where the President moves in, at least once a year.

• The location of the ‘Retreat Building’ in Shimla and the ‘Rashtrapati Nilayam’ in Hyderabad are indicative of the integrative role of the office of the President in the country.

• These locations, one in north and another in south, symbolise unity of the country and unity of the nation’s diverse cultures and people.

Rashtrapati Nilayam in Hyderabad

• Located at Bolarum in Hyderabad, Rashtrapati Nilayam building was taken over from the Nizam of Hyderabad after India attained independence and handed over to the President’s Secretariat.

• Constructed in 1860, the building has a total land area of 90 acres. A single-storied building, it contains 11 rooms in its premises. It also has a dining hall, cinema hall, darbar hall, morning room, dining room, etc.

• The President visits the Rashtrapati Nilayam and stays there at least once a year and conducts official business from the premises.

The Retreat Building in Shimla

• Located at the hill top of the Mashobra, the building was taken over during 1895 by the Viceroy. The President visits The Retreat at least once a year and the core office shifts to that place during stay in the Retreat. 

• Around 1,000 feet higher than the Shimla Ridge Top, the Retreat is located in a picturesque surrounding. The architectural pattern and the natural beauty of the place have made the Retreat a tourist attraction in Shimla.

• The redeeming feature of this building is that it is purely a wooden structure with dhajji wall construction. 

• Originally constructed in 1850, this building has a plinth area of 10,628 sq ft.

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