Visakhapatnam:Amid concerns of cyclone Hudhud adversely affecting Visakhapatnam’s growth, Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday said he is keen on developing the port city with a new vision.
“Once this (cyclone relief) is over, we are preparing new plans for Visakhapatnam. I am working on a new vision for Visakhapatnam. I am going to rope in best consultants from across the world, who handled similar cities in the world. “What PM said on wednesday…to help us in all ways an American delegation will come for developing a ‘smart city’.
I will hire the best consultants for that,” Naidu said in the port city which suffered a huge damage in the cyclone that struck on Sunday last. Visakhapatnam was among the three cities (other two being Allahabad and Ajmer) discussed for being developed as ‘smart cities’ with American help, during P M Narendra Modi’s recent US visit. Recalling that Modi had also talked about beautification of Visakhapatnam when he visited the port city recently, Naidu said he is working on plans for land-scaping in the city. When I was talking to the PM, he talked about beautification and pruning the trees (which are damaged).
“We are talking to Cabinet Secretary again on Thursday. All public sector undertakings which have trouble, they must be revived, including the airport, steel plant, Navy, etc. We are talking. We will revive all these things,” Naidu said.
“I have asked for best horticulture consultants to come. If we can give them (trees) treatment, we will focus on promoting greenery quickly. “The biggest nursery in India is at Kadiam I am calling them. They will bring good plants. It is an opportunity for them as well to grow. We will work out all that is necessary to give a new look to Visakhapatnam. New city, new vision,” he said. Naidu said they will also approach institutions like World Bank for the development of the port city. “We will approach World Bank or ADB to make this as a new city, a model city,” he said(PTI)
