An extravagant event is on the cards, with the Andhra Pradesh government pulling out all stops to make the foundation-laying ceremony of Amaravathi, its proposed capital city, a grand celebration.
The expenditure for the October 22 event is expected to touch Rs 300 crore.
With Prime Minister Narendra Modi agreeing to lay the foundation stone for the riverfront capital, coming up between Vijayawada and Guntur in the prosperous coastal Andhra region, massive arrangements are being made to make it a memorable affair.
All government departments have been asked to release funds to arrange for hospitality, logistics and security.
Despite financial crunch, the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) government is making all-out efforts to turn the event into a moment of pride for people still reeling under the bifurcation blues.
Besides sending out invitations to thousands of guests, including chief ministers, Union ministers and MPs, the state government wants citizens from all 13 districts to attend the function.
It has been made clear to officials that there should be no shortcoming in the facilities provided to the VVIP guests as well as the masses.
Soil collected from all the villages in the state and river water from all states will be placed under the foundation stone amid Vedic chants.
The government is planning to set up a city gallery where different stages of construction of the proposed capital will be displayed, said Krishna District Collector A Babu.
“The birth of Amaravathi will be a spectacular occasion to create an emotional bond with the people,” said the state government's communications adviser P Prabhabkar. He said all the farmers and their family members who have pooled their lands for the state capital will be felicitated on 22 October.Lepakshi sarees and dhotis will be gifted to the farmer couples. A separate enclosure has been planned for their seating.
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