Arrangements in full swing at Amaravati

• Officials race against time to make arrangements for foundation fete
• Lush green groves disappear, roar of bulldozers reverberates

Vijayawada: With the countdown for the foundation ceremony having begun, the arrangements at Amravati are on at a feverish pitch. Officials of related departments led by revenue officials are supervising the works sitting under the trees.

The programme ‘Mana Matti Mana Neeru’ launched to create a sense of belongingness among the people took off on a large-scale on Tuesday.

There is perceptible enthusiasm among the people and the rank and file of the TDP. Party workers are visiting the venue site in large numbers.

When asked whether they would attend the function, they said this was just a reconnaissance visit and would certainly attend the main function.

“When a marriage takes place in a house all the family members of the bride take active part and hence we will certainly attend the function,” they said.

Several bulldozers have been pressed into service and temporary blacktop roads are being laid for smooth passage of VVIP vehicles. A helipad near the river bund and six more near Gannavaram airport have also been readied.

While enthusiasm about the new capital is visible among the people, they are sad to see the speed at which the entire greenery adjoining the bund on the banks of river Krishna is vanishing.

Bulldozers are working overtime to clear the lush green plantain groves so that the entire area can be converted into a huge parking lot.

People living in the nearby villages say that ever since the work of clearing the trees began, there has been a marked rise in the temperatures. A temporary narrow road on the bund adjacent to river Krishna is also getting ready.

According to sources, this road will be used by VVIP vehicles coming from Vijayawada to the venue on October 22.

However, what worries the officials is the possibility of rain on Dasara day. If that happens, the temporary parking lots where the soil is loose, may cause problems.

Vijayawada city is also undergoing a major makeover but in a great hurry. Important roads are being widened and real estate business is on upward swing.

Old timers rue that even the PWD grounds which was akin to the exhibition grounds at Nampally in Hyderabad has now shrunk and the open space is being used for parking of police and other vehicles.

All this indicates that soon there will be significant changes in topography of the entire stretch between Vijayawada and Amaravati.

But people say that widening of roads, etc. will not help unless the government goes in for creating good infrastructural facilities like rainwater drains and underground sewerage in Vijayawada. “We have to face hell when it rains,” the man on the road says.

A drive along the road that is being laid at breakneck speed for the VIP vehicles to reach the venue of the foundation ceremony by The Hans India indicates another disturbing factor.

Some realtors had started exploiting the hills. A little after crossing Undavalli caves towards Amravati, the hills are being cut and temporary roads are being laid.

By:V Ramu Sarma