Ongole Utsavam Celebrates 150 Years of the City’s Journey
Former vice president M. Venkaiah Naidu, the chief guest, recalled his long association with Ongole, saying the city played a significant role in his political journey, which began from the Ongole Lok Sabha constituency in 1977.
Nellore:Ongole Utsavam, marking 150 years since the formation of Ongole Municipality, turned out to be a grand affair at the Mini Stadium in the city on Wednesday.
Former vice president M. Venkaiah Naidu, the chief guest, recalled his long association with Ongole, saying the city played a significant role in his political journey, which began from the Ongole Lok Sabha constituency in 1977.
He asked people to uphold character, calibre, capacity, and conduct in public life. He called for preservation of the famous Ongole cattle breed. He stressed the importance of rural roads, cleanliness, environmental protection, and coordinated efforts for urban development.
Odisha Governor Kambhampati Haribabu said Ongole’s development should focus not only on roads and buildings, but also on drinking water, sanitation, housing, healthcare, and other civic amenities. He stressed public participation in building the city’s future and appreciated collection and segregation of wet and dry waste from around 80,000 households in a single day, earning a world record.
Haribabu called for special attention to water resources. He asked people to work towards building a “Developed Ongole” as a foundation for a developed Andhra Pradesh and India.
Rajya Sabha member Bashyam Ramakrishna, Energy minister Gottipati Ravi Kumar, Social Welfare minister Dola Bala Veeranjaneya Swamy, and Nellore MP Magunta Srinivasulu Reddy highlighted Ongole’s rich history, cultural heritage, and contribution to Andhra Pradesh.
District collector P. Rajababu said several major industrial and infrastructure projects, including BPCL and Indosol Industries, Kothapatnam Harbour, Reliance Biogas Plant and Ramayapatnam Port, are expected to generate employment and accelerate the region’s development.
Ongole MLA Damacharla Janardhan Rao said several programmes have been organised to commemorate the 150-year milestone. He highlighted initiatives to preserve the city’s history and recognise prominent personalities associated with Ongole.
Ministers, MPs, MLAs, MLCs, corporation chairpersons and other dignitaries attended the celebrations. Several prominent personalities have been felicitated on the occasion. Cultural programmes presented by students added to enthusiasm on the day.