After the recent air show by four aircraft from the U.K., the Punnami Bhavani riverfront is going to host the first-ever Navy Operations Demonstration (Op Demo) that features a wide range of events from flypasts by Chetaks and Sea Kings to beating retreat.
Though the main and final event of Op Demo is on February 4, people can witness Op Demo activity from January 30 as the Navy starts rehearsing.
On February 2, there will be a rehearsal review by Naval in charge Officer of Andhra Pradesh, Sanjiv Issar. On February 3, there will be a rehearsal review by the second seniormost officer of Eastern Naval Command, Vice Admiral A.K. Jain. At a press conference here on Saturday, Naval Commander and in-charge of the event Sujit Reddy said the rehearsals would almost look like the actual demo and people could visit the riverfront area to witness the show.
“It is very similar to the demo conducted in Visakhapatnam on the R.K. Beach. Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh has requested the Navy to promote avenues of the Indian Navy among the youth here and also envisage water tourism,” he said.
Explaining the highlights of the show, Commander Sujit Reddy said that the aerobatic display by fighter squadron; performance by 35 musician sailors, world renowned band; display of static models, weapons, missiles, torpedoes, and ships at five naval stalls and others would be the major attraction.
On February 4, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and Commander in Chief Vice Admiral H.S.C. Bisht will attend the event. District Collector A. Babu said that arrangements were being made to accommodate a large number of public on the riverfront ghats. “On February 5, only beating retreat will be held at Tummalapalli Kalakshetram in the city,” he said. Hawks, search and rescue by Chetak, slithering by Sea King, Jet Ski, parasailing, oil rig demolition, simulated beach attack by terrorists will be displayed during the show that starts at 4 p.m. and ends at 6.15 p.m. daily.
A.P. Tourism Director Himanshu Shukla, VMC Commissioner G. Veerapandian, and Sub-Collector Saloni Sidana were present.
