Vijayawada hopes for a new dawn

Vijayawada: The citizens of Vijayawada are hoping that the New Year brings not just personal benefits, but also boosts the development and fortunes of their city.

With Vijayawada being in the running for the new capital of the residual state of Andhra Pradesh, it needs to showcase its growth and development

Once the unofficial capital in many fields - movies, transport, publishing politics and trade, Vijayawada has lost its lustre over the last 30 years.

The realty and construction sector is hoping that business will pick up in the year ahead. Nearly 100 ventures and projects have been stopped midway in the last one year.

A top real estate company based in the city has constructed several colonies and hopes they will be bought in the New Year if business confidence is restored.

Young political leaders, especially of the YSR Congress and the Telugu Desam are hoping they will get an opportunity in the new political scenario. Several have been promised positions or tickets by political parties and have started publicity campaigns.

Should the city be selected as the new capital, there will be a bonanza of development with improved infrastructure and capital.

If the city is indeed named the new capital, its entire structure may witness a sea change, in all the corners, said IT consultant Rami Reddy.

“Right from the airport expansion, proposed road development projects including highway expansion, flyovers, outer ring road, new bridges on Krishna River and new government offices, education institutions, business centres, could all benefit,” he hoped.

Similarly, the common man and small farmers are also hoping that the will see an increase in the land prices. “If so, it would mean a change our present life,” said V. Rama Rao, a city resident.

K. Srinivasa Rao, a city native presently working in Hyderabad said that 2014 will decide if the city will be among the topmost cities in the country or not. “It will be a crucial year,” he said.