Naidu to tap tourism potential of Vizag
VISAKHAPATNAM: Unveiling a string of development plans for the Port City, chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu said that the government would develop the city's beaches so as to attract domestic and international tourists round the year.
Addressing reporters here, he said a green field airport would come up in the city on the lines of the Shamshabad airport at Hyderabad. 'We will promote the city on the global map. Indigo Airlines had signed an MoU with the state government to make Vizag as its hub. During my visit to Singapore, SilkAir officials also promised to operate more flights from here and to other destinations,' he added.
He wanted the officials to develop the Vizag-Bheemili route as a tourist attraction.
Indicating that the officials should convert cyclone damage to the advantage of the city, Naidu wanted all the departments to come up with firm plans in this regard. The US government had promised to help develop Vizag into a smart city and officials should draft plans accordingly, he said.
He wanted the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to take up beautification of NH-16 in Vizag limits failing which VUDA should take over the task.
For the development of slum areas, the chief minister suggested that the officials rope in the local corporates and public sector units under their corporate social responsibility activities. The Reliance group has already agreed to develop the Andhra University campus with its CSR funds, he said.
Apartments have to be built in slums so that the poor get pucca houses and city gets a new look. The government will add its funds to the CSR funds if necessary and the officials should find the required land to start the project in a year, Naidu said. Works on the metro rail project need to be hastened and it should be completed within three-and-a-half years, the chief minister said.
News Posted: 18 November, 2014
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