Festive atmosphere prevails in several villages in Capital region and in Guntur and Vijayawada cities, as residents decked up their houses with rangolis and colourful lights for the grand foundation laying ceremony that will be conducted at Uddandarayunipalem in Guntur.
The lanes and by-lanes of Mandadam, Uddandarayunipalem, Krishnayapalem, Venkatapalem and abutting villages are bustling with activity with most families inviting their relatives in the traditional manner to witness the memorable event on October 22.
In Vijayawada, many government offices, guest houses, Prakasam Barrage, traffic islands, hotels and other establishments were illuminated for the historic event.
Even as the district administrations are busy in making elaborate arrangements for the successful conduct of the ceremony, villagers are having a gala time. The ambience was electrified in villages two days ahead of the event coinciding with Dasara Navaratri festivities. With their friends and relatives, villagers are making a beeline to the venue to have a glance of the arrangements.
A few people, who came to Guntur with holy water and soil from their villages, are staying in their relatives’ houses in the capital region. “We want to contribute for the development of new Capital by participating in it and came to my relative’s house in Mandadam,” said a villager. At Thullur police station, villagers decorated the statue of NTR with serial bulbs and put up banners to welcome guests. “I gave 20 acres for the capital city and we are eagerly waiting to watch the event,” said a farmer Srinivas from Thullur. The lanes and by-lanes in an adjacent village were vibrant as youngsters danced to the tune of songs from NTR movies.
But the sad part of the story is that most villagers will not be going to witness the lush green fields as the entire area will give way for high-rise buildings once the construction activity gains pace.
