Kakinada: Deputy Chief Minister, Nimmakayala China Rajappa, said that the state government was making all efforts to make Kakinada smart city a tourist hub by making use of its tourist potential.
He along with district collector, Karthikeya Misra, inaugurated Vivekananda Park which has been renovated at a cost of '8.18 crore, on Saturday evening.
Mr Rajappa said that Kakinada was called second Madras for its city planning and for the efforts being made to develop NTR Beach, Gandhinagar Park and the Vivekananda Park and provide tourist amenities.
He said that the city would develop on par with other cities like Vijayawada, Vizag and Tirupati because of its prominence.
He also said that to inspire the people and kindle their patriotism, the statues of the former President of India, Abdul Kalam and Social Worker, Dokka Seethamma had been installed in the park.
He said that smart roads, drains, main junctions and underground cable works were being carried out under the smart city project and digital classrooms, science centre, e-rickshaws, e-carts and open gyms were being set up.
Participating as the chief guest, noted spiritual speaker, Abhinava Vivekananda Chaganti Koteswara Rao, said that the installation of the statue of Dokka Seethamma in the park was ideal, as she had fought for the poor and her social reform works were commendable.
Earlier, Mr Rajappa hoisted the 20 metre tall national flag pole in the park. Kakinada Mayor, Sunkara Pavani, inaugurated the Children’s’ Swimming Pool. Kakinada MLA, Vanamadi Venkateswara Rao (Kondababu), inaugurated the ‘Love Kakinada Symbol’ and the statue of Abdul Kalam.
MLC, Chikkala Ramachandra Rao, inaugurated the Synthetic Badminton Court and the District Collector, Karthikeya Misra, inaugurated the Mens’ Gym. Kakinada Rural MLA, Pilli Anantha Lakshmi, launched e-Rickshaws under the solid waste management scheme in the city.
Modern lighting, pathways, skating ring development and lawns were great attraction for the visitors in the park.
