Vizag being spruced up for G20 meet, investors’ summit
Over Rs 100 crore is being spent by various departments for beautification of the City of Destiny
image for illustrative purpose
Officials are busy in taking up painting of walls, black-topping roads and smart street lights with LED bulbs at strategic locations. All tourist places, mainly the Buddhist sites at Thotlakonda and Appikonda, Kailasagiri hilltop park are being given a facelift
Visakhapatnam: With the deadline for two important events being hosted here coming closer, the official machinery is working on full gear to complete a makeover to the City of Destiny to give a pleasant experience to the delegates.
The arrangements are being monitored regularly by Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy. Senior officials have been entrusted with the responsibility to oversee the completion of makeover before the deadline set by the authorities.
Besides giving a facelift to Rushikonda and RK Beach, the most sought-after locations for the tourists as well as the locals in the city, the officials are busy in taking up painting of walls, black-topping roads and smart street lights with LED bulbs at strategic locations including 30-km stretch of beach road from the fishing harbour to 17th century Dutch township of Bheemunipatnam.
Over Rs 100 crore is being spent by various departments for beautification. All star hotels and premium guest houses have been blocked to house the delegates and top officials. Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation has set in motion works to create ‘safe beaches’ at Jodugulapalem and Sagarnagar. Rushikonda, where a few hotels are located may become a beehive of activity for evening parties for the VVIP delegates after the deliberations during the evenings.
While the Global Investors’ Summit (GIS) is being organised at Andhra University Engineering College grounds on March 3 and 4, the G20 Group Working Committee meeting is being hosted on March 28 and 29. While roadshows as a prelude to GIS are being held in the metros and abroad for GIS to showcase investment potential in Andhra Pradesh, G20 Group meeting will be attended by over 200 delegates from 40 member-countries.
Special Chief Secretary (Municipal Administration and Urban Development) Y Srilakshmi after a review on the arrangements said that the delegates will be shown around the tourist places to apprise them of the local art and culture.
All tourist places, mainly the Buddhist sites at Thotlakonda and Appikonda, Kailasagiri hilltop park from where a bird’s eye view of the City of Destiny can be captured in cameras are being given a facelift. The Chief Minister has advised the officials to ensure the stay of delegates is very pleasant and memorable.
The Visakhapatnam Port Authority (VPA), the Railways, various industrial establishments and government departments are involved in massive greenery and avenue plantation besides putting up welcome arches and banners at various places. All the buildings on the beachfront and other strategic locations will be illuminated during the events.
