Kurnool all spruced up to host I-Day fete

CM Naidu to hoist Tricolour at APSP Ground. Fourteen contingents of uniform personnel and 15 tableaus will take part in the march past. Schoolchildren are scheduled to present a cultural skit titled "Bharatiyam".

Kurnool city decked up for the first Indpendence Day celebrtions of Andhra Pradesh post-bifurcation. Photo: U. Subramanyam

Then capital of erstwhile Andhra State is all set to host the first Independence Day celebrations of Andhra Pradesh, post-bifurcation. All arrangements were in place at the sprawling APSP Ground here by Thursday evening. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu will unfurl the National Flag and address the State on Friday.

The administration worked for over a month to spruce up the APSP Ground and the avenues leading to the venue. Top revenue and police officials supervised the arrangements from the State headquarters.

Huge celebration

Fourteen contingents of uniform personnel and 15 tableaus will take part in the march past. Schoolchildren are scheduled to present a cultural skit titled “Bharatiyam”.

Later, the Chief Minister will address the gathering and present medals to officials and volunteers in recognition of their good service.

The Independence Day is being celebrated in the city at a time when people are deeply disappointed by the feeling that city has not been given its due in the new State. The echoes of disgruntlement are likely to be felt at the meeting.

‘High tea’

Meanwhile, officials arranged an interface with representatives of the protesting groups with the Chief Minister at a programme called “high tea” at APSP Kalyanamantapam. They are likely to present representations to the Chief Minister, seeking capital status for Kurnool and other sops.

Sops in the offing

The government is considering various proposals for the formal announcement by the Chief Minister during the Independence Day celebrations. The proposals include speeding up of the Railway Midlife Coach Rehabilitation project by acquiring land, solar and wind power parks, tourism package for the district, Smart City status for Kurnool, development of a highway between Srisailam and Bangalore, connecting Atmakur, Nandyal, Koilkuntla and Jammalamadugu, textile Park for Yemmiganur, seed village status for Nandyal, reservoirs at Gundrevula, Hagari and Abdullapuram, Urdu Academy, Mining school and the Rayalaseema Institute of Medical Sciences.

According to reports, the government is keen on the immediate grounding of Centrally sponsored railway workshop and cancer hospital, which will be developed as the Institute of Medical Sciences.