Big-ticket powerboat race draws foreigners in droves

Security and crowd control measures in place: Police Commissioner

Ferrying in: The F1H2O powerboats were showcased by the Tourism Department on the eve of the Grand Prix in Krishna River, on Bandar Road in Vijayawada on Thursday.

As many as 200 foreigners arrived in the city to attend the F1H20 International Boat Racing competitions, said Police Commissioner Ch. Dwaraka Tirumala Rao on Thursday.

A security plan, traffic management and crowd control for the event with 1,000 officers was put in place, he told the media here.

More foreigners and sports personalities were expected, he said.

The Vijayawada and the Guntur police, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and the Drone Corporation would throw a security blanket.

Intervention teams would be kept ready and all operations of the country boats had been stopped, he said.

The city had been divided into 15 law and order and traffic sectors.

Traffic management

Traffic diversions would be made on the Prakasam barrage and other places during the event.

Nine parking places had been arranged at the Punnami Ghat, Lotus Apartments, Shadikhana, Lorry Stand, Swathi Centre and other places and a signage board would guide the visitors.

Deputy Commissioners of Police J. Brahma Reddy, B. Rajakumari, Ch. Venkata Appala Naidu and other officers were present.