Cricket icon and Bharat Ratna Sachin Tendulkar’s hour-long visit on Friday added the much-needed appeal to Vijayawada which is under active consideration for the capital city of Andhra Pradesh. Days ahead of a decision by Sivaramakrishnan Committee on capital, Sachin’s visit has made a world of difference to the city, according to industry experts.
Though Sachin’s current visit to the city is not the first one, the inauguration of a multiplex-cum-shopping-mall, PVP Square amid fanfare, created a new excitement in the new State. Addressing a crowd of 5,000-odd people at the mall, Sachin said, “I consider myself lucky to be here amongst you all today. I can feel your energy.”
Celebrity visits such as Sachin’s and emerging world class infrastructure is a great value addition at this juncture and it will boost image of the new State, according to V.V.M. Krishna, president, Confederation of Indian Industries (CII), Vijayawada chapter. “The city is inching from tier II towards Indian footprint of tier I cities. People have put the loss of Hyderabad behind and are going ahead with developing infrastructure out here.”
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The face of the city is fast changing with mega structures coming up besides residential and commercial apartments. One such is the Trendset shopping mall which is ready for inauguration shortly. “The construction and final touches are almost over and several reputed brands have already forged tie-ups for space,” said a government official.