Singapore team's secret visit to AP 'Capital'
HYDERABAD: A Singapore experts' team is on a secret visit to the capital area in Vijayawada/Guntur and even IT minister P Raghunatha Reddy was taken by surprise when the delegation met him during a chance encounter at a restaurant in Vijayawada on Saturday.
According to sources, due to the opposition from some local farmers to the state government's decision to acquire lands through land pooling for construction of the capital, the Singapore team, which has been tasked with the preparation of the master plan for capital building, has made a silent visit to the area. The team visited some villages in Amaravati and Tullur mandals in Guntur district besides the railway station and the Chilli Yard in Guntur city.
While the veil of secrecy over the team's visit to avoid trouble from locals did not come as a complete surprise to political observers, that even ministers were kept in the dark about the trip has come as a shocker to many.
Raghunatha Reddy was having snacks at a restaurant in Vijayawada when some foreigners, who were also there, introduced themselves as from Singapore to his security personnel and wanted to interact with Reddy.
Reddy promptly joined them for tea and explained to them how the state government is planing to celebrate Sankranti festival to revive Andhra culture. Later, the Singapore team members left for the tour and were accompanied by some local revenue officials.
'During the tour, the experts' team interacted with local officials to have firsthand knowledge of the topography and climatic conditions of the capital region,' said source.
Municipal administration minister P Narayana joined the team and explained to them the government plans about constructing a world-class capital. Architects and engineering experts were reportedly part of the visiting Singapore team.
News Posted: 11 January, 2015
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