Kakinada set to fly high: Naidu

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has said that Kakinada was poised for fast growth next to Visakhapatnam and Tirupati, after receiving the smart city tag.
Addressing the Janmaboomi-Maavuru programme at Parlovapeta Kakinada limits here yesterday, he said the port city was set to become a hub of economic activity after its inclusion in the smart city list.
"Kakinada would soon be declared as a clean city, free from open defecation. Another Rs 36 crore project was being implemented to supply water connections to the poor. About 3600 and more houses would be constructed under Centre government sponsored scheme, Naidu said.

Also, the salt creek between the NTR Bridge and the Indrapalem junction would be developed as a tourist spot, spending Rs 90 crore, he added.
Despite heavy deficit in the budget, the CM said the government was determined to go ahead with the development and welfare scheme as scheduled by mobilising resources.
On criticism by Opposition for not fulfilling election promises especially those to the Kapu community, Naidu said he was commited to include Kapus in backward class list.

Already, a finance corporation has been constituted for the Kapu community with Rs 100 crore corpus fund to look after their requirements. A Commission is also being constituted to go into the demands of Kapus and a decision would be taken soon after receiving its report, he said.

The government's aim was to include Kapus in the BC list without affecting the existing quota. Hence the Kapus (predominantly concentrated in the coastal districts) need not have any apprehension, he said.
Later, Naidu inaugurated the three-day long beach festival at NTR beach in Vakalapudi village here.
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After inaugurating the beach festival in Kakinada last night, Naidu said, Hope Island in Kakinada will be transformed into an attractive tourist place.
"Hope Island, Mada forest, Konaseema tourism circuit will be developed with an amount of Rs 90 crore under the 'Swadeshi Darshan' scheme," he said.
The Chief Minister said his government gives special attention to tourism sector as it has tremendous potential to provide employment opportunities and increase the financial position of the state.

Amusement park, convention centre, water sports facilities will be developed within five km range of Kakinada, he said, adding, "Roads will be developed along the coast line from Srikakulam to Nellore with an intention to develop tourism places in the state."
Road line between Kakinada and Visakhapatnam will be developed and water system will be developed between Kakinada and Pondicherry, Naidu added.
Apart from nine mega festivals held in the state, including Rayalseema Food festival, Kakinada beach festival and Araku Tribal festival, soon Godavari festival will also be organised in Rajahmundry, Naidu added.
He also said that starting January 10, a three-day business summit will be held in visakhapatanam, a number of business giants will take part to explore their ideas.