Post-1954, Vizagites experienced the nuances of power centre and what would life in the city be like, if it were to be made the capital of the new state of Andhra Pradesh.
The first Cabinet meeting of the new State was held here on Thursday at the Executive Council Conference hall in Andhra University and it was attended by all the 19 Ministers and Chief Minster N. Chandrababu Naidu. And this was the highest gathering of Ministers on a single day, after the first summer session of the Assembly of the then Andhra State was held at TLN Sabha Hall of AU here in May-June of 1954.
The university area, in the last three days, had looked like a war zone with gun-toting security forces manning the venue.
“Forget about the university area, the NH 16, right from Venkojipalem to Gajuwaka, was teeming with police personnel. There was a policeman every few yards. Though, for a change, the city looked safe and secure, the blockade of traffic at NAD junction for the passage of the CM’s convoy for over 30 minutes in this hot weather was painful,” said R. Srinivas, who works with a private firm at SEZ in Duvvada.
But he was fast to add, “The mammoth convoy of Ministers, which comprised over 100 cars, made the city look important. And one has to live with the traffic blockade, now and then, if the city is made the capital.”
Well, it was not only the security aspect, the whining sirens and the beacon-fitted cars that made the city look different, the sprucing up of the city for the event, was what appealed to many.
“Overnight, the university was given a facelift. The road dividers and traffic junctions were painted, the roads were swept and the city was decked up. Whether, this city is made the capital or not, such events should be held often, so that the city gets a facelift,” said a professor of Andhra University.
