VIJAYAWADA: The state government is bent on executing the City Square Project at Swaraj Maidan despite opposition from various sections. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu convened a meeting with the officials concerned on Saturday over the project to take stock of the situation in view of the protests over the project. Vijayawada Municipal Corporation (VMC) commissioner J. Nivas explained after the meeting with the Chief Minister that the ownership of the open area in Swaraj Maidan will remain with the government. He said the apprehensions raised by some groups were not true and the Swaraj Maidan is not handed over to any company yet.
Mr Nivas said that the concept of City Square Project was evolved on the lines of Times Square in New York and Tiananmen Square in Beijing. The basic idea is to have an iconic structure in the middle that reflects the culture and heritage of the land, he said, and added that the entire open area will remain open with improved facilities for the people.
Revealing the plans of the government, Mr Nivas said that only built-up area, which is only about 20 per cent of the total area, will be given to the developer, as the developer will make the entire investment. The proposed star hotel also will come up in the state guest house. As the project involves huge investment, the government is looking for a private player to come in with suitable designs and proposal, he said.
Mr Nivas also clarified that the Rytu Bazaar will be relocated at a convenient place so that it is as accessible as it is now. He also said an underground shopping complex would be developed like Palika Bazaar at Connaught Place in New Delhi. After the development of City Square, the Vijayawadites will have more amenities than now at the Swaraj Maidan, he added.
