Singapore minister visits capital region

VIJAYAWADA: Singapore's second minister for home affairs and trade and industry S Iswaran, accompanied by chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu, went on an aerial survey of the proposed core capital region of Andhra Pradesh, at Thullur in Guntur district.

Iswaran was on a two-day visit to Andhra Pradesh to discuss the plans for his country's investments in industry and infrastructure, particularly in planning and construction of the capital city.

Singapore government had engaged two companies--Subarna and Jurong--to prepare the master plan for the capital city of Andhra Pradesh. The three-stage master plan is expected to be submitted to the state government by June.

Interacting with people's representatives and officials at Gannavaram airport on his way to Tirupati after the aerial survey, Iswaran greeted the people of Andhra Pradesh on the occasion of Sankranti.

He said human relations are upheld through traditions and culture, which is reflected in festivals in India. He said people of the state will be able to see a world-class capital city very soon, which will be in accordance with the grand vision of chief minister.

According to sources, the Singapore minister and Naidu were shown from the air the proposed location of the capital city, which will have a 8 sq km core area, during the aerial survey.

The chief minister is planning to have vibrant economic activity and imposing buildings befitting a world class capital. It was the second aerial survey by the Singapore team of the proposal capital area. An expert team had already visited the location and held discussions with state ministers.

Though Iswaran and Chandrababu Naidu were supposed to interact with entrepreneurs in Vijayawada, they had to skip the meeting for want of time. The Singapore delegation held discussions with people's representatives at the airport itself on various issues related to capital development for about 20 minutes.

According to sources, Visakhapatnam and Tirupati were given priority over Vijayawada with regard to interaction with industries, given that Singapore team would be making frequent visits to Vijaywada as a part of their capital city planning exercise.

The entrepreneurs, who had waited patiently for Naidu and Singapore minister to show up in Vijayawada had to make do with an interactive session with ministers Devineni Umamaheswara Rao and K Ravindra and submit their ideas and proposals to them.