The sleepy village of Velagapudi in the Amaravati Capital Region has become an exhibit in itself, with people thronging there in large numbers to see the infrastructure of the temporary capital getting built brick by brick.

The foundation laying work is proceeding at a rapid pace, with workers, placed in three shifts, attempting to complete the temporary capital by June. The locals, making use of the brisk pace at which progress is being made, have started petty businesses.

Many visitors are visiting Velagapudi to see the big machinery being used for construction. Engineers from Shapoorji and Pallonji and L&T, who were the contractors for the complex of buildings coming up at the temporary capital, said that they were working day and night to complete the construction of pillars and flooring by March 20. They added that various types of heavy machinery were installed at the site for the swift completion of the work.

Construction activity in Velagapudi and other areas of the capital region has increased in view of the work being done for the temporary capital. The local people have opened shops, supplying steel, bricks, cement and other construction materials. Also, Velagapudi now has its first internet cafe, a metro type cafeteria, modern provision shops and others.

The cattle sheds, godowns and store rooms were transforming into shops, making Velagapudi into first modern city of Amaravati Region.

The Vijayawada Police Commissionerate is moving into a higher orbit. Until now, there is only one Police Commissioner. Right now Gautham Sawang in the Police Commissioner of Vijayawada. Now, 1998 batch officer inspector general of police Mahesh Chandra Ladha has been posted as additional commissioner of Police for Vijayawada.

Till now there is no post of additional commissioner in Vijayawada Police Commisionerate. Ladha has vast experience in law and order and dealing with terrorists. His experience at NIA is expected to be use to him in keeping at bay, as Vijayawada is now part of capital region.

Ladha was recently in news when he was made the chief of special investigation team (SIT), to investigate the liquor tragedy in Krishnalanka and rounded up the accused person including city congress Malladhi Vishnu.

According to the sources, the government is creating more high-level post so that the commissionerate, when it is expanded cover the capital region, has enough officers to deal with al the challenges on law and order front.

With 19 Villages merging in corporation, Vijayawada is going to acquire a new identity of becoming Metropolitan City. Vijayawada Municipal Corporation has already passed the resolution of these 19 villages in VMC. The proposal is pending with Andhra Pradesh Government.

The Villages include Ramavarapadu, Prasadampadu, Enikepadu, Nidamanuru, Atkuru, Gudavalli, Kesarapalli, Buddavaram, Gannavaram, Kanuru, Poranki, Tadigadapa, Yanamalakuduru, Penamaluru, Gollapudi, Jakkampudi, Nunna, Pathapadu and Ambapuram.

With this VMC also will get more revenue. Villages like Kanuru are getting annual income of about 6 crore, Poranki, Gollapudi of around 4 crore and other villages around 1-2 crore. Many of these villages have apartments of around 500 blocks, corporate schools, banks, hospitals. The land price is also high for these villages.

On the occasion of International Women’s Day, a group of women artists exhibited their art works ranging from handicrafts to paintings at the Cultural Center of Vijayawada.

The exhibition was inaugurated by Andhra Pradesh income tax commissioner V.S.S.Prasad.

The paintings of young artist Kareema Tabassum stood as special attraction at the exhibition. While Minakshi Women Arts and Crafts welfare society chairperson Ms.Minakshi arranged the show, Mr Surya Prakash presented Kondapalli toys.