<p>The very severe cyclonic storm `Hudhud' couldn't have come at a much worse time for Andhra Pradesh in general and Visakhapatnam, the 'city of destiny', in particular.<br /><br /></p>.<p>The State, post-bifurcation, is in the process of rebuilding and foundations for that are being laid.<br /><br />Visakhapatnam, the largest city in the truncated State, has been getting ready to transform into a Mega City and plans for this have already been laid out.<br /><br />Everything was being set on course to alter the face of Andhra Pradesh as well as the port city in terms of development when `Hudhud' came striking on Sunday as a bolt from the blue, throwing all plans in disarray.<br /><br />Now, the State Government will have to re-double its efforts, first to bring Visakhapatnam back to shape and next go ahead with the other development plans.<br />The primary focus will now be on rebuilding the basic infrastructure that was left battered in the port city.<br /><br />From the roads to telecommunications network to the seaport and airport, all major infrastructure facilities here suffered massive damage and may take a while for restoration.<br /><br />The Visakhapatnam Steel Plant, the pride of the city, too requires massive repair and this may hamper its expansion.<br /><br />The Cyclone Warning Centre, the most critical unit here, has to be re-established after `Hudhud' destroyed it. It has to be done in quick time before another storm looms.<br /><br />As Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has pointed out the cost of damage caused by the calamity may be well over Rs 1 lakh crore in Visakhapatnam and other affected neighbouring districts of Vizianagaram and Srikakulam.<br /><br />Mobilising funds for this gigantic restoration task is the main challenge before the cash-starved Government that is already looking for liberal assistance from various quarters, including the Government of India, for rebuilding the State.<br /><br />Massive investment plans had been lined up for the city, post-bifurcation, with primary focus on development of infotech. About 20 firms from India and abroad have chosen it as their IT hub and planned to invest Rs 1820 crore.<br /><br />"Hudhud will certainly slowdown our plans as we will have to now build required infrastructure for these companies simultaneously rebuilding the city's basic infrastructure," a top Government functionary noted.<br /><br />J Satyanarayana, Government's advisor on Electronics & IT, told PTI, "we have to put the clock back first. Our primary focus is on relief and restoration as we have to rebuild all the infrastructure."</p>
<p>The very severe cyclonic storm `Hudhud' couldn't have come at a much worse time for Andhra Pradesh in general and Visakhapatnam, the 'city of destiny', in particular.<br /><br /></p>.<p>The State, post-bifurcation, is in the process of rebuilding and foundations for that are being laid.<br /><br />Visakhapatnam, the largest city in the truncated State, has been getting ready to transform into a Mega City and plans for this have already been laid out.<br /><br />Everything was being set on course to alter the face of Andhra Pradesh as well as the port city in terms of development when `Hudhud' came striking on Sunday as a bolt from the blue, throwing all plans in disarray.<br /><br />Now, the State Government will have to re-double its efforts, first to bring Visakhapatnam back to shape and next go ahead with the other development plans.<br />The primary focus will now be on rebuilding the basic infrastructure that was left battered in the port city.<br /><br />From the roads to telecommunications network to the seaport and airport, all major infrastructure facilities here suffered massive damage and may take a while for restoration.<br /><br />The Visakhapatnam Steel Plant, the pride of the city, too requires massive repair and this may hamper its expansion.<br /><br />The Cyclone Warning Centre, the most critical unit here, has to be re-established after `Hudhud' destroyed it. It has to be done in quick time before another storm looms.<br /><br />As Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has pointed out the cost of damage caused by the calamity may be well over Rs 1 lakh crore in Visakhapatnam and other affected neighbouring districts of Vizianagaram and Srikakulam.<br /><br />Mobilising funds for this gigantic restoration task is the main challenge before the cash-starved Government that is already looking for liberal assistance from various quarters, including the Government of India, for rebuilding the State.<br /><br />Massive investment plans had been lined up for the city, post-bifurcation, with primary focus on development of infotech. About 20 firms from India and abroad have chosen it as their IT hub and planned to invest Rs 1820 crore.<br /><br />"Hudhud will certainly slowdown our plans as we will have to now build required infrastructure for these companies simultaneously rebuilding the city's basic infrastructure," a top Government functionary noted.<br /><br />J Satyanarayana, Government's advisor on Electronics & IT, told PTI, "we have to put the clock back first. Our primary focus is on relief and restoration as we have to rebuild all the infrastructure."</p>