Whether it is studies or sports, hard work is the key to success. You should consider the playground as a temple, Lalit Bohra tells the participants
35 persons booked for consuming alcohol and smoking in public in Pendurthi
58-year-old man from Odisha arrested in Duvvada double murder case
'Amaravati will emerge as leading city in the country': PM Modi at AP capital city relaunch
VIJAYAWADA: Prime Minister Narendra Modi called upon Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and his Deputy Pawan Kalyan to transform Amaravati and Andhra Pradesh into a growth engine for a developed India, citing it as the dream of N T Rama Rao to develop the state. We must fulfill NTRs dreams. Chandrababu and Pawan Kalyan, together we must do it and we will do it, Modi said. While restarting the construction of Amaravati on Friday, the PM emphasized that the state capital city is not just a city but a dream coming true. Alongside the relaunch, Modi laid the foundation stone for several capital city-related projects and dedicated Rs 58,000 crore worth nine other projects to the nation. Addressing a large gathering, he stated, This is the beginning of building Swarna Andhra (Golden AP). These are not just concrete structures, but are strong foundations for the aspirations of Andhra Pradesh and the vision for a developed India. Modi expressed confidence that Amaravati, once completed in three years as promised by CM Naidu, will transform the state into a modern and progressive one, and it can fulfil the dreams of every Andhraite. Amaravati will emerge as a leading city in the country in fields like Information Technology, Artificial Intelligence, Green Energy, Clean Industries, Education, and Healthcare, he added, pledging full support to the state in providing necessary infrastructure. Recalling his role in laying the foundation for Amaravati as the Peoples Capital in 2015, Modi noted that the Central Government has extended its full support over the past decade, and now, under CM Naidu's leadership, development will progress rapidly, prioritizing essential structures like the High Court, Assembly, Secretariat, and Raj Bhavan. 'There's no one better than Chandrababu' The Prime Minister praised Chandrababu Naidu, saying, There's no one better than Chandrababu when it comes to executing large-scale projects quickly while ensuring top-notch quality. Modi revealed that he had closely observed how Chandrababu developed the IT industry in Hyderabad while he was the CM of Gujarat. Chandrababu praised me for adopting technology. But as the Gujarat CM I had observed how he developed the IT sector in Hyderabad and understood the process. Today, I'm able to implement those learnings across the country, Modi said. PM: India's strength lies not just in weapons, but in unity of its people While laying the foundation stone for a new defence facility in Nagayalanka for the Defense Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Navadurga missile launching range, Modi stated that this range, like goddess Kanakadurga, will strengthen the nations defence. The PM emphasized that Indias strength lies not just in its weapons but in the unity of its people. He highlighted the significance of the Polavaram project, saying it will transform the lives of millions of farmers in Andhra Pradesh, with both the central and state governments working together to complete it swiftly. Modi reiterated the central government's support to the state over the past decade. 'Will celebrate Yoga Day in Vizag' Chandrababu invited the Prime Minister to participate in International Yoga Day in Visakhapatnam on June 21. Thanking the CM and the people for the invitation, Modi said he would attend the yoga event and practice yoga with the public to draw global attention to yoga and India. Modi encouraged the people of Andhra Pradesh to practise yoga in every home, aiming to break world records and showcase yoga worldwide.
Waltair Divisional Railway Manager inspects amenities in railway quarters in Dolphin Nose Colony
Paramour arrested in womans murder case in Visakhapatnam district
NDA faces challenge in selected a candidate for Deputy Mayor postin Visakhapatnam
Corporators from both the TDP and the Jana Sena Party are seeking the position
Andhra Pradesh back in business with leading in private investment and capex
Visakhapatnam: Andhra Pradesh appears to be gradually regaining its momentum, as reflected in the recent economic indicators.
May 5 last day for payment of Inter supplementary examination fee, in Andhra Pradesh
Board Secretary Kritika Shukla said there would be no further extension of dates for payment of examination fee
Traffic diversions in Vizag to facilitate laying of pipelines by GAIL
Mineral water bottles supplied to passengers of general coaches
Tribals in Andhra's ASR seek reinstatement of GO No. 3
VISAKHAPATNAM: Tribal communities in Alluri Sitarama Raju district observed a bandh on Friday, demanding the reinstatement of Government Order (GO) No. 3, which earlier ensured 100% reservation for Scheduled Tribe (ST) candidates in teacher recruitment in scheduled areas. The protest saw wide participation, with shops closed voluntarily in places such as Araku Valley. Tourist destinations including the Tribal Museum, Padmapuram Botanical Garden, and the Coffee Museum remained shut, while roads across the region wore a deserted look. Protesters blocked roads and raised slogans urging the government to restore the provisions under GO No. 3. They recalled the promise made by Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu during an election rally, where he assured 100% reservation in government jobs for tribals by reviving the special provisions under GO No. 3. In response, ASR District Collector AS Dinesh Kumar issued a statement appealing to the tribal communities to withdraw the bandh and cooperate with the government. He explained that GO No. 3, issued on January 10, 2000, by the Andhra Pradesh Tribal Welfare Department, provided for 100% reservation for local ST candidates in teacher recruitment within scheduled areas and included a 33% sub-reservation for ST women. He said that this policy was implemented in about 11 General and Special DSCs conducted after the issuance of GO No. 3, with all posts being filled by eligible local ST candidates. However, the Supreme Courts Constitution Bench, in a verdict delivered on April 22, 2020, declared GO No. 3 unconstitutional. Following the courts decision, the State government was required to re-evaluate and revise its recruitment policies in agency areas, he explained. The Collector added that in the recently announced Mega DSC-2025 recruitment, GO No. 3 was not considered due to the Supreme Court ruling, and reservations were allotted as per the general roster. The government is sincerely exploring legal alternatives to ensure justice for tribals without violating the SCs directions, he said. Tribal Welfare Minister Gummidi Sandhya Rani reiterated the governments commitment to the welfare of tribal communities. The coalition government is working on introducing an alternative Government Order to replace GO No. 3. Young unemployed tribal youth should not be misled by the YSRCPs political narrative, the Minister said. Out of the 16,437 DSC posts, 2,024 have been allocated specifically for tribals. She said Is it reasonable to ask for the cancellation of Mega DSC? It was the previous YSRCP government that nullified GO No. 3 and failed to fill even a single teacher post. She stated.
Andhra temple wall collapse: Preliminary enquiry reveals structure constructed illegally
VISAKHAPATNAM: A preliminary enquiry into the retaining wall collapse at Simhachalam, which claimed seven lives during the Chandanotsavam festival on April 30, has revealed that the structure was constructed without formal approvals and in violation of the temples master plan. The three-member committee appointed by the Andhra Pradesh government to investigate into the incident completed its initial inquiry in Visakhapatnam on Friday and has since departed for Amaravati. Based on our findings so far, everything was done in a hasty manner, based merely on verbal instructions, said S Suresh Kumar, Principal Secretary of the MA&UD Department and chairman of the inquiry committee. The committee also includes Inspector General of Police Ake Ravi Krishna and Engineer-in-Chief (FAC) of the irrigation department, Venkateswar Rao. Contractor claims pressure to build wall before Simhachalam tragedy Panel plans to get extra inputs from devotees Addressing the media on Friday, Suresh Kumar stated that the construction of the retaining wall lacked official permission and violated norms outlined in the Simhachalam master plan. We have completed the preliminary investigation. It was learnt that due process was not followed in the construction. Everything appears to have been carried out informally, he said. The team interacted with temple priests, Agama experts scholars, and other stakeholders during the course of the inquiry. Agama experts, represented by Vaidiks, flagged a critical lapse pointing out that the wall was erected without consulting traditional Agamasastra practitioners, a clear deviation from established religious construction norms. Soil and structural samples were collected from the collapsed site for further analysis. The committee also plans to gather extra inputs from devotees who were present at the time of the incident. Officials noted that the works under the PRASAD (Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive) Scheme were originally scheduled to be completed by August 2024. However, the committee flagged concerns over delays and systemic inefficiencies in implementation. The enquiry also highlighted a lack of coordination between the Endowments and Tourism Departments. This coordination gap needs to be addressed and we recommend escalating this integration issue to state-level leadership for resolution, the committee stated in its observations.
Indias strength lies not just in weaponry but in its unity: PM Modi
New Delhi: Indias strength lies not just in its weaponry but in its unity, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday. Highlighting that this spirit of unity is further reinforced through Ekta Malls, which are being set up in cities across the country, he announced that Visakhapatnam will soon have its own Ekta Mall, []
Visakhapatnam Diesel Loco Shed completes 60 glorious years
Its the largest Diesel Loco Shed in India
Erstwhile Visakhapatnam poised to be Indias largest steel-producing district
With the Centres bailout package and other efforts being put in to restore Visakhapatnam Steel Plant to its full production capacity, and ArcelorMittal preparing to set up its unit in Anakapalli district, the potential combined production capacity could be a record 25.10 MPTA, the largest in any district in India, and that their products are complementary is the icing on the cake
The committee to submit its report to the government on May 3
The party members submit memorandum to the three-member committee probing the incident, which claimed the lives of seven devotees, at Simhachalam on April 30
PM Modi relaunches Amaravati capital project, calls it the dream taking shape of Swarna Andhra
VIJAYAWADA: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, rekindling the long-pending dream of Andhra Pradeshs greenfield capital, Amaravati, on Friday at Uddandarayunipalem, where he had laid its foundation stone nine years ago, described it as a land where tradition and progress intertwine. Addressing a massive gathering, Modi said, I dont see just a city, but a dream taking shape. A new Amaravati, a new Andhra. He highlighted the publics enthusiasm, noting Amaravatis Buddhist legacy of peace and its potential as a powerhouse for Vikasit Bharat. Beginning his speech in Telugu, the Prime Minister paid homage to Andhras heritage, invoking Goddess Durga Bhavani and expressing joy at the occasion. Referring to the foundation stone laying, the inauguration of projects worth nearly Rs 60,000 crore, and Amaravatis revival, Modi said, This isnt merely concrete construction but the foundation of Andhras aspirations and Vikasit Bharats vision. He recalled Amaravatis historical significance as the capital of the Gods, now becoming the states capital, calling it a divine sign for a Swarna Andhra that will fuel the vision of Vikasit Bharat. Amaravati isnt just a city; its the force to transform Andhra into a modern, progressive state, he said, envisioning it as a hub for IT, AI, green energy, clean industries, education, and healthcare. He pledged central support for building the necessary infrastructure. Praising Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Modi revealed he had studied Naidus initiatives during his tenure as Gujarats Chief Minister and applied those lessons in his governance. Naidu leads the nation in technology, he said, lauding him as the ideal leader for future tech projects. Invoking former Chief Minister N.T. Rama Raos vision for a developed Andhra, Modi urged unity to make Amaravati the growth engine of Vikasit Bharat. Chandrababu, Pawan Kalyan, we must fulfil NTRs dream together, he said. Taking a swipe at the previous regime, Modi remarked that the obstacles to the Praja Rajadhani, for which he laid the foundation in 2015, have now been cleared under Naidus leadership. He assured that the capital infrastructure, including the High Court, Assembly, Secretariat, and Raj Bhavan, would be built on priority. Modi highlighted Indias infrastructure strides over the past decade, positioning the country among the fastest-developing nations. Andhra has significantly benefited, with thousands of crores allocated to railway and road projects, enhancing both inter-district and interstate connectivity. These developments, he said, will enable farmers to reach markets faster, boost industries, and promote tourismsuch as easier access to the Lord Venkateswara Swamy temple in Tirupati via the Renigunta-Naidupeta highway. He noted that Andhras railway infrastructure has transformed, with the states railway budget increasing from under Rs 900 crore (20092014) to Rs 9,000 crore today. This has enabled 100% electrification, the operation of eight Vande Bharat trains, and the introduction of modern Amrit Bharat trains. Over 750 railway bridges and underpasses have been constructed, and more than 70 stations are being upgraded under the Amrit Bharat Scheme. Emphasising the economic multiplier effect of infrastructure, Modi said it increases demand for cement, steel, and transport, and creates thousands of jobs for Andhras youth. He reiterated the NDAs focus on the poor, farmers, youth, and women, citing Rs 12 lakh crore spent on fertilisers and modern seeds, along with Rs 5,500 crore in crop insurance for Andhra farmers. The PM Kisan Samman Nidhi has delivered Rs 17,500 crore to lakhs of farmers, while the Polavaram project, a joint central-state effort, will transform the lives of millions of farmers. Modi celebrated Andhras contributions to Indias space programme through Sriharikota and announced a new DRDO defence facility, Navadurga missile range in Nagayalanka, which will strengthen national security. He emphasised unity as Indias true strength, citing Ekta Malls like the one in Visakhapatnam that promote handicrafts and the Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat initiative. He commended Naidus announcement of hosting International Yoga Day on 21 June, pledging to attend the event in Visakhapatnam to promote yoga globally. Under Chandrababus leadership, well break world records, he said, thanking the state for the invitation.
VIJAYAWADA: Andhra Pradesh Minister for Education, IT, and Electronics, Nara Lokesh, declared that even a hundred Pakistans could not harm India, crediting Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the nations ultimate weapon against aggression. Speaking at an event marking the resumption of Amaravatis construction, Lokesh condemned Pakistans recent actions, particularly the Pahalgam terror attack, accusing it of making a grave mistake by targeting innocent lives. Pakistan cannot uproot even a blade of grass on Indian soil, he asserted, warning that Modis decisive leadership could erase Pakistan from the world map. Lokesh claimed Pakistans military was in chaos, with personnel resigning or fleeing, calling it a testament to Modis formidable influence. He also criticised the previous Andhra Pradesh governments ruinous 20192024 tenure, alleging it had deliberately stalled Amaravatis development due to personal animosity towards Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu. He accused the former regime of wasting five years on a three-capital proposal without laying a single brick, thus hampering the states progress. Highlighting the Amaravati movements resilience, Lokesh noted its 1,631-day struggle, with participation from children to the elderly under the Jai Amaravati banner. He detailed the sacrifices made, including 270 farmer deaths, arrests, police brutality against women farmers, and 3,000 illegal cases filed against protesters. Saluting the farmers unwavering spirit, Lokesh called Amaravati a peoples capital that no conspiracy could suppress, crediting Modi for its foundation and asserting that no force could halt its development. On domestic policy, Lokesh hailed the central governments caste census decision as a bold, historic step by Modi to empower marginalised communities, addressing decades-long struggles for social justice among backward classes. Lokesh announced that Amaravatis construction, relaunched under Modis guidance, marked unstoppable progress for Andhra Pradesh. He outlined decentralised development plans, including the Polavaram project, Visakhapatnam Steel Plant, Bhogapuram Airport, and CNG plants in Prakasam. Reflecting on the post-bifurcation challenges of 2014, he praised Naidu for balancing welfare and development, with Amaravati chosen as the capital through consensus and built on farmers sacrifices. He said regions like Rayalaseema had become electronics and automobile hubs, Godavari districts aqua hubs, and North Andhra pharma and IT hubs. Lokesh underscored the double-engine government of Modi and Naidu, saying the NDAs 94% seat share in the 2024 elections reflected public trust. He said Modis supportthrough initiatives like the Visakhapatnam Railway Zone, NTPC Green Energy, and the Nakkapalli Bulk Drug Parkdemonstrated his commitment to Andhra Pradesh. Lokesh described Modi and Naidu as powerful engines driving development and welfare. On economic progress, Lokesh revealed that in 10 months, the state had secured Rs. 8 lakh crore in investments, generating 5 lakh jobs. A mega DSC notification for 16,347 posts had been issued, alongside major projects including NTPC Green Energy (Rs. 1.85 lakh crore, 57,000 jobs), ArcelorMittal in Anakapalli (Rs. 1.36 lakh crore, 55,000 jobs), and BPCL in Ramayapatnam (Rs. 97,000 crore, 3,000 jobs). He said investments from LG Electronics in Tirupati, renewable energy in Kurnool, Kadapa, and Anantapur, Reliance CNG in Prakasam, and pharma and IT in North Andhra were aimed at uplifting all districts. The government, he added, aimed to create 20 lakh jobs in five years, signalling a robust economic vision.
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu failed to fulfil his promise on the issue, alleges Paderu MLA
Partially burnt body of a woman found in Visakhapatnam district
NITI Aayog, GAME tie up to foster entrepreneurship ecosystem in India
NITI Aayog, GAME tie up to foster entrepreneurship ecosystem in India New Delhi: NITI Aayog on Friday partnered with the Global Alliance for Mass Entrepreneurship (GAME) to foster vibrant entrepreneurship ecosystems across states in India. The collaboration will focus on advancing location-based interventions, starting with pilot sites in Nagpur, Visakhapatnam, and Uttar Pradesh. It [] The post NITI Aayog, GAME tie up to foster entrepreneurship ecosystem in India appeared first on Mangalorean.com .
Botcha demands judicial probe into wall collapse at Simhachalam temple
The YSRCP leader describes the seven deaths as murders by the government,says the High-level Committee formed for the proper conduct of the Chandanotsavam should own up responsibility
Critical care castaways of tri-State border
Many lives remain at risk in the Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh, where the government district hospital refers over 75% of critical care and emergency cases to hospitals located more than 100 kilometres away. Despite being the vital junction where Andhra Pradesh meets Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, critical healthcare continues to elude the predominantly rural district, finds K. Umashanker
Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu shows how P4 initiative can uplift poor
The Chief Minister explains how the P4 model workswith a live
Contractor claims pressure to build wall before Simhachalam tragedy
VISAKHAPATNAM: A day after the tragic incident at the Simhachalam temple, where seven devotees lost their lives due to the collapse of a retaining wall during Chandanotsavam, contractor Lakshmana Rao has made serious revelations regarding the construction of the wall. I was pressured to build the wall, Rao, who was responsible for the walls construction, told the three-member inquiry committee during the investigation. The three-member committee, appointed by the State government, began its investigation into the incident in Visakhapatnam on Thursday. The committee members visited Simhachalam, and began examining the circumstances surrounding the wall collapse. Officials have been directed to submit a detailed report within 72 hours. Rao, in his testimony to the committee, stated that he had initially refused to undertake the construction due to the extremely tight timeline before the festival. There was hardly any time left, and I clearly informed them that it wasnt feasible to build the wall in just six days, he said. Despite his objections, Rao claimed that officials from both the Devasthanam and the Tourism Department insisted that he proceed with the project. They pressured me to build the wall. I was told it was only a temporary structure, he added. Rao further revealed that the construction work began just four days before Chandanotsavam, raising concerns about the quality of the work given the short time frame. The investigation is being conducted by a three-member committee led by S Suresh Kumar, Principal Secretary of the MA&UD Department. The other members of the committee include Ake Ravi Krishna, Inspector General of Police, and Venkateswar Rao, Engineer-in-Chief (FAC) of the Irrigation Department. After the investigation on Thursday, Suresh Kumar confirmed the initiation of a re-verification process regarding the incident. The three-member committee has decided to conduct a re-verification of the Simhachalam Devasthanam incident. The accident occurred due to the collapse of the retaining wall. It appears that the incident happened because of poor construction quality, he said. He also added that the wall was constructed as a temporary structure for the festival, and the committee would verify whether the construction adhered to the master plan regulations. Suresh Kumar further added that as part of the preliminary investigation, engineers and contractors involved in the project have already been questioned. A preliminary report will be submitted to the government based on the inquiry, and a comprehensive report on the failures and shortcomings will be presented within 30 days. The investigation will include an inquiry into the officials who gave permission along with the contractor, and their involvement will be examined, Suresh Kumar added.
IMD forecasts gusty winds, thunderstorms across Andhra Pradesh
VISAKHAPATNAM: The India Meteorological Department (IMD), Amaravati, has issued a four-day weather warning for Andhra Pradesh and Yanam, predicting thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds across several regions from Friday through Monday. According to the Meteorological Centre, thunderstorms are likely at isolated places across North Coastal Andhra Pradesh (NCAP), South Coastal Andhra Pradesh (SCAP), Rayalaseema, and the Union Territory of Yanam each day during the forecast period. Gusty winds reaching speeds of 40-50 kmph are expected at isolated locations in NCAP and Yanam, while SCAP and Rayalaseema may experience slightly lower wind speeds of 30-40 kmph. In addition to the storm warnings, hot, humid, and discomfort-inducing weather conditions are likely to persist over Andhra Pradesh and Yanam on Friday and Saturday. The IMD has also indicated that no significant changes are expected in maximum and minimum temperatures across NCAP, SCAP, and Yanam for the next five days, though a slight rise may occur thereafter. Similarly, Rayalaseema is not expected to see major changes in temperature during this period, with a marginal increase anticipated subsequently. Meteorologists noted that a north-south trough is currently extending from an upper air cyclonic circulation over southeast Rajasthan and its neighbouring regions to north Kerala. This trough passes through areas such as West Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha, Marathwada, and Interior Karnataka, and extends up to 1.5 km above mean sea level. Additionally, lower tropospheric southerly winds are prevailing over Andhra Pradesh and Yanam, contributing to the present weather patterns. The Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA) reported that no heatwaves are expected across the State on Friday.
A.P. CM assures support to a widow in Nellorepalem
Chandrababu Naidu directed Nellore District Collector O. Anand to offer DSC coaching to Susmita, and to provide a drone to her younger brother, who has completed ITI, for agricultural purposes
Above-normal maximum, minimum temperatures in Andhra Pradesh in May: IMD
The probability of above-normal minimum temperatures in the State is between 33.5% and 65%; however, the number of heatwave days, on an average, is likely to be fewer in May
Maddila Gurumoorthy writes letter a day after the collapse of a wall at Simhachalam temple in Visakhapatnam, which claimed the lives of seven devotees
Experience the wild up close at this portable Natural History Museum in Visakhapatnam
A portable Nature history museum by Wilded is sparking curiosity and connection with the wild through touch-and-feel exhibits and immersive storytelling in Visakhapatnam
First bird flu death in Andhra Pradesh of same clade as first death in Haryana
Visakhapatnam: An analysis of the specimen from the recent fatal bird flu case in Palnadu district by the National Institute of Virology in Pune has r.
Simhachalam wall collapse: Mans decision to leave wife at home saves her life
Visakhapatnam: Yedla Venkata Rao, one of the seven victims of the Simhachalam temple wall collapse on Wednesday, may have lost his life in the tragedy, but his decision to leave his wife at home ultimately saved her. Seven people were crushed to death in the early hours of the day when a rain-soaked wall collapsed Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
Thousands witness Nijaroopa Darshanam at Simhachalam during Chandanotsavam
VISAKHAPATNAM: The annual Chandanotsavam festival was observed with traditional fervour at the Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple in Simhachalam on Wednesday. Celebrated on the occasion of Akshaya Tritiya, Chandanotsavam is the only day in the year when devotees are allowed to have the Nijaroopa Darshanam of the deity, as the thick layer of sandalwood paste covering the idol is ceremoniously removed. Despite intermittent rainfall, thousands of devotees from Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Odisha, and neighbouring states gathered to witness the Nijaroopa Darshanam, where the deity was presented without the customary layer of sandalwood paste. As per temple tradition, hereditary trustee P Ashok Gajapathi Raju, along with his family, participated in the early morning rituals and offered silk vastrams to the deity. Temple Executive Officer K Subbarao received the trustee's family and extended temple honours. Revenue Minister Anagani Satya Prasad, along with priests from the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), also presented silk robes and offered prayers on behalf of the State government. The first darshan was given to the hereditary trustee's family at around 3.30 am, after which general devotees were allowed into the queue lines. Earlier, rituals including Suprabhatam Seva, Viswaksena Puja, Punyavachanam, Ritwikvaranam, Panchakalavahanam, and Chananottaram were conducted from 1 am onwards. Due to the collapse of a wall in the Rs 300 queue line , authorities redirected Rs 300 ticket holders into the Rs 1,000 queue to manage the situation, resulting in temporary congestion. Rescue operations were undertaken promptly, and the situation was stabilised by noon. Transport arrangements were made by operating free RTC buses from Gosala Junction and Adavivaram side. Drinking water and first-aid facilities were arranged to assist the devotees. District Collector MN Harendhira Prasad personally oversaw crowd management throughout the day, coordinating efforts to ensure smooth movement of queues and minimise inconvenience. As part of the Chandanotsavam, TNIE team distributed special festival editions of the newspaper along with buttermilk and biscuit packets to devotees. The initiative was supported by BVK Junior College (Visalakshinagar), Charan Group (Akkayyapalem), Saraswathi School (Gajuwaka), and Sai Saraswathi Coaching Centre (Vizianagaram). Several dignitaries, including Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha, In-charge Minister Dolla Veeranjaneyaswamy, Deputy Speaker Raghurama Krishna Raju, Government Whip Ganababu, MPs, and MLAs, visited the temple during the early hours to participate in the event
Construction of capital city is nothing but restoration of APs pride, says CM Naidu
VIJAYAWADA: Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has urged the full strength of the TDP, JSP, and BJP cadres to actively participate in the grand relaunch of Amaravatis capital development works, to be flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on May 2. In a teleconference held on Wednesday with MPs, MLAs, senior party leaders, and booth-level workers, Naidu described the occasion as a historic moment in Andhra Pradeshs development journey. This is not just about Amaravati, it is about restoring pride, growth, and governance to our State, he said. PM Modi will lay the foundation stones for projects worth Rs 49,040 crore in Amaravati and an additional Rs 57,962 crore for national-level works linked to Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), and Indian Railways, Naidu announced. Attributing the NDAs 93% success rate in the elections to the publics faith in its promises, Naidu said the government, despite financial constraints, has delivered on welfare and development initiatives over the last 10 months. He also reaffirmed that the Polavaram project will be completed by 2027 and highlighted major investments, including TCS in Visakhapatnam and Rs 5,000 crore by LG at Sri City. The Chief Minister said AP is now attracting record-high investments and has launched the Swarnandhra Vision 2047, aimed at decentralised, inclusive development. He refuted allegations of land being undervalued in Visakhapatnam, terming them part of a false narrative propagated by the previous YSRCP government. They looted the State through wine, mine, sand, and land, he remarked. Naidu emphasised the significance of the farmers land pooling for Amaravati, calling it a world record in public-private cooperation. The previous YSRCP regimes three-capital proposal was a betrayal, he said. Our struggle and the peoples resilience have ensured Amaravatis revival. It will be built with the pride and ambition of the people, like Hyderabad, Chennai or Bengaluru. He reiterated Amaravatis model as a self-sustained capital, assuring that all core infrastructure will be in place within three years. The Chief Minister also announced two flagship welfare schemes set to launch next month -- Annadata Sukhibhava, the financial aid to farmers and Talliki Vandanam, Rs 15,000 annual support to mothers of school-going children. Naidu stressed that party activists were the backbone of governance and promised due recognition through nominated posts. He urged leaders not to act against grassroots sentiments and called for a united NDA front across all platforms. On the recent Simhachalam temple tragedy where seven devotees died in a wall collapse, Naidu expressed deep sorrow. He said he refrained from visiting the site to avoid inconveniencing pilgrims, trusting local leaders to oversee relief efforts. I have been monitoring the situation since morning, he said, adding that Ministers have visited victims families and assured government support. Finally, he called for a grand Mahanadu convention in Kadapa, stating, The NDA must win every future election to secure the States destiny. Capital Amaravati: Restart of works, restoring faith
Andhra temple wall collapse: Pilgrimage becomes a nightmare at Simhachalam
VISAKHAPATNAM: What began as a deeply spiritual day for thousands of devotees, turned into a nightmare at the Simhachalam Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple, as a wall collapse in the early hours of Wednesday claimed seven lives during the annual Chandanotsavam. A pall of gloom descended on the mortuary premises at King George Hospital in Visakhapatnam as grieving families of the Simhachalam temple wall collapse victims struggled to come to terms with the tragedy. Seven devotees, including a young techie couple and their relatives, lost their lives while waiting for Nijaroopa Darshanam of Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy. Among the deceased were Pilla Umamaheswara Rao (30) and his wife Shailaja (27), natives of Chandrampalem village in Madhurawada. Both were software professionals employed in Hyderabad, and had returned to their hometown to work remotely. They were accompanied by Shailajas mother, P Venkata Ratna (45), and aunt, G Mahalakshmi (65), who also died in the incident. The family had arrived early at the temple and were waiting in the Rs 300 ticket queue when the wall collapsed around 3.15 am reportedly due to heavy rain. The other victims were identified as Pathi Durga Prasad Naidu (27), an architect from Konaseema district residing in Visakhapatnam; his friend K Manikantha (28) from Konaseema; and Y Venkat Rao (45) from Visakhapatnam. Rescue operations were immediately launched by the NDRF, police, and temple authorities. According to preliminary reports, the collapse occurred during the rainfall, but an official inquiry is underway to determine the structural integrity of the wall. Family members of the deceased demanded a thorough investigation into the construction of the wall. Four members of our family died because of the poor construction of the wall. Who will take responsibility for our family? We are demanding action against the contractor and the engineer responsible, said relatives of the deceased couple outside KGH. They also urged the government to announce an ex gratia of Rs 1 crore, and provide a government job to a family member of the victims. We will not allow postmortem unless the government responds to our demands, they added. They further said, Those responsible for the collapse must be held accountable. Accountability must be ensured so that such a tragedy does not happen again. Wall collapse claims lives of two friends Among the seven lives lost in the tragic wall collapse, were 32-year-old Pathi Durga Prasad Naidu, an architect based in Visakhapatnam, and his friend, 29-year-old K Manikanta. A native of Korlapativaripalem village, Prasad had been living in Visakhapatnam for the past four to five years, where he had established his own architectural firm, New Diamond Interiors. He had attended Chandanotsavam along with Manikanta. He was full of life, always cheerful, and had big dreams for his future. It is heartbreaking for all of us who knew him to see such a vibrant young man found lifeless in the mud. Its something we are struggling to come to terms with, said Navya Sree, a close family friend of Prasad. He was a deeply spiritual person, and he always cared for everyone around him, she told TNIE . Authorities identified Prasad and Manikanta using Aadhaar details provided during the Rs 300 ticket purchase. His family was notified soon after. She further shared that visible injuries were found on Prasads head and nose. He was found in a mix of cement. We were told that heavy rain and wind caused a tent to collapse first, which then brought down the wall, Navya explained. Prasad is survived by his parents and a sister. The incident occurred between 2.30 and 3.30 am near the Rs 300 darshan queue line. Authorities suspect torrential rains triggered the wall collapse, though an investigation is still underway. Andhra temple wall collapse: Construction done in haste for Chandanotsavam, sources say
Andhra temple wall collapse: Construction done in haste for Chandanotsavam, sources say
VISAKHAPATNAM: The tragic incident at the Simhachalam temple during the annual Chandanotsavam on Wednesday, has sparked widespread public anger and criticism. A newly built wall near the Rs 300 darshan queue line collapsed in the early hours of the day, killing seven devotees, and injuring several others. The wall, reportedly built just five days prior to the annual festival, gave way following a spell of moderate rain. Thousands of devotees had gathered at the hilltop temple for Nijaroopa Darshanam of Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy. Families of the victims and eyewitnesses alleged serious negligence in the construction, and oversight of festival arrangements. The structure was part of the ongoing PRASAD (Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive) Scheme, for which the Ministry of Tourism had sanctioned `54.04 crore in December 2022 for development works at Simhachalam Devasthanam. The project is being executed by the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation. Tourism Regional Director Subramanyam confirmed that tenders had been called for the works by the Tourism Department, but declined to disclose the contractors name. However, sources claimed that the contract was awarded to a firm named K Anantha Rao and Co, based in Srikakulam. The wall in question was reportedly constructed in haste five days ago, and was asked to be completed before Chandanotsavam, sources claimed. Andhra temple wall collapse: Jagan demands Rs 1 crore compensation for victims' families, strict action Outside the King George Hospital mortuary in Visakhapatnam, grieving families of the victims demanded accountability from politicians, officials, and the temple authorities. This was not a case of torrential rain. Water runoff from the hilltop seems to have undermined the weak foundation of the wall, family members of the deceased alleged. We demand permanent government jobs, not outsourcing, and `1 crore ex gratia for each victim. The government cannot brush off its negligence with mere announcements, they said. They further questioned the role of ministers who were reportedly assigned to oversee Chandanotsavam arrangements. How did they miss inspecting a newly constructed wall? What kind of oversight was this? asked devotees waiting in the queue after the untoward incident. Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha, who was at the site since morning, told the media, I have personally inspected the queue lines two to three days ago. The incident is extremely unfortunate. An inquiry will be conducted to identify the contractor, engineer, and quality evaluator involved in the wall construction. All those responsible will be held accountable. Anitha stated that despite all precautions taken by the temple authorities, the tragedy still occurred. A three-member committee has already been formed to probe the reasons behind the accident. Once the committee submits its report, legal action will be taken against those found responsible for negligence, she added.
Governments negligence led to death of seven devotees at Simhachalam: YSRCP leader Jagan
Adequate measures have not been taken despite knowing that the festival attracts lakhs of devotees, he said
Simhachalam tragedy: was the wall built of paper, ask angry kin of deceased
The KGH premises echoed with heart-wrenching cries as grieving families mourned the death of their loved ones
Rain Brings Relief to Visakhapatnam, But Heatwave Persists Across Andhra
Nandyal recorded the highest temperature of the day at a scorching 41.2 degrees Celsius, followed closely by Tirupati at 40.8 degrees Celsius and Anantapur at 40.3 degrees Celsius
Polycet Records 89% Attendance in Andhra Pradesh
The highest attendance was observed in Anakapalle and Visakhapatnam districts, where 94 per cent of registered candidates took the test.
AP: Pakistani-Indian couple gets temporary relief from leaving country
Amaravathi: In a temporary humanitarian gesture, the Andhra Pradesh government let a Pakistani family staying in Visakhapatnam to continue staying in the state, till further notice is served to them to go back to Pakistan. The city police commissioner Sankhabhadra Bagchi received a representation from a family, where the husband hails from Pakistan, and his Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
Andhra University student from Ghana dies under suspicious circumstances
We have informed about the death to the Embassy of the Republic of Ghana in New Delhi, says the AU Chief Warden
We have managed to rescue two injured persons from the debris. They were sent to various hospitals, and we retrieved seven bodies from the rubble in our operation, which lasted for nearly two-and-a-half hour, says an SDRF official
Agency DSC Sadhana Committee to meet Tribal Welfare official on May 1
A decision on organising Manyam Bandh on May 2 will be taken based on the outcome of the meeting, says the committee coordinator
Techie Couple Among Devotees Killed In Wall Collapse At Andhra Temple
The couple, who married three years ago, hailed from Chandrapalem village in Madhurawada of Visakhapatnam
The government failed to make basic arrangements for Chandanotsavam festival, says former Minister Gudivada Amarnath
2 Held At Secunderabad Railway Station For Smuggling Ganja To Maharashtra
The arrested persons were smuggling dry ganja from Visakhapatnam to Manmad of Maharashtra by train
CID Additional SP R. Srihari Babu stated in the affidavit that the persons including Mr. Midhun Reddy have ensured that orders for the purchase of liquor were placed by the government on distilleries/manufacturers who were providing kickbacks
Chandanotsavam tragedy: Seven die in temple wall collapse in Visakhapatnam
Visakhapatnam: Seven people were killed when a rain-soaked wall collapsed at the Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple in Simhachalam here in the early hours of Wednesday, turning an annual ritual at the famous north Andhra shrine into a scene of both grandeur and grief. The government said seven people died after the wall collapsed []
Massive preparations under way for PM Modis Amaravati visit on May 2
More than five lakh people, including nearly one lakh farmers who gave up their agricultural lands under the Land Pooling Scheme in 2014, are expected to attend the event
NDRF 10th Battalion conduct Collapsed Structure Search and Rescue operation at the spot to rescue the injured, if any, says Battalion Commandant V.V.N. Prasanna Kumar
As Ms. Sharmila stepped out of the house, the women police blocked her way, asking her not to go ahead with her visit, as it was likely to cause law and order problem
Nani's HIT 3 OTT release. Where to watch after theatrical run and language versions
Nani stars as SP Arjun Sarkaar in Hit: The Third Case, releasing in theaters on May 1, 2025, and later streaming on Netflix. Directed by Sailesh Kolanu, this installment of the HIT franchise features a gripping investigation into serial killings in Visakhapatnam. Srinidhi Shetty joins Nani in this thriller, available in five languages.
TheDistrict legal Services Authority Visakhapatnam (DLSA Visakhapatnam) has released an official notification for the recruitment of Chief Legal, Assistant Legal and More posts. Interested and eligible candidates can apply Offline through the official DLSA Visakhapatnam website. The last date to submit the application form is 02-05-2025.
N. Chandrababu Naidu said that one member from each family will be employed on an outsourcing basis in the temples under the purview of the Endowments Department
CM Naidu orders probe into Simhachalam temple wall collapse
Amaravati: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has announced an inquiry by a three-member committee into the wall collapse at Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple in Simhachalam in Visakhapatnam, which resulted in the death of eight devotees. Four others were also injured in the incident that occurred in the early hours of the Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
Andhra Pradesh governor S Abdul Nazeer pay condolences to victims of Visakhapatnam temple accident ANI News
New Delhi:Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the loss of lives due to a wall collapse in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. In a post on X, PM Modi extended condolences to the families of the deceased and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured. He also announced an ex gratia payment of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Ministers National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the next of kin of each deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured. Deeply saddened [] The post Visakhapatnam Wall Collapse: PM Modi Expresses Grief; Announces 2L For Kin Of Deceased, 50K For The Injured appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Pakistani national, son get permission to stay in Vizag on medical grounds
VISAKHAPATNAM: The Indian government on Tuesday granted temporary permission to a Pakistani national, and his 4-year-old son to stay in Visakhapatnam on medical grounds. The man and his elder son are Pakistani citizens, while his wife, a native of Guntur, and a practising dentist, and their younger son hold Indian citizenship. The family currently resides in a rented house in Vizag. His wife is employed in a corporate hospital. In the wake of the recent Pahalgam terror attack, the Central government had ordered all Pakistani nationals to leave the country. However, this family was granted an exemption after they approached Visakhapatnam Police Commissioner Shanka Brata Bagchi. The boy has been undergoing psychiatric treatment at a corporate hospital in Vizag for the past two years. The Pakistani nationals had applied for a long-term visa on medical grounds. We sent a detailed report to the Central government, and they approved the Pakistani nationals continued stay for treatment purpose. The Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) has allowed them to stay in Visakhapatnam until further orders, Bagchi said.
PM condoles the loss of lives due to the collapse of a wall in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh PM India
Single-use plastic ban faces challenges in Visakhapatnam
Successful implementation seen only in rythu bazaars; use of single-use plastic items is visible at various places and officials say raids are being conducted and action taken against violators
AP: 8 devotees killed in wall collapse at Simhachalam temple
Visakhapatnam: At least eight devotees were killed and four others injured in a wall collapse during an annual festival at Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple at Simhachalam in Andhra Pradeshs Visakhapatnam on Wednesday. The incident occurred due to heavy rain in Simhachalam past midnight. A wall collapsed on devotees who were queued up to Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) were at the scene to carry out search and rescue operations.
Seven devotees killed as wall collapses at Simhachalam Temple during Chandanotsavam
VISAKHAPATNAM: Seven devotees lost their lives and few others sustained injuries after an under-construction wall collapsed at the Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple in Simhachalam on Wednesday early morning. The incident occurred during the annual Chandanotsavam festival while the devotees were waiting in the Rs 300 queue line. Visakhapatnam has witnessed heavy rainfall and strong winds since 2 a.m. on Wednesday. The injured persons were immediately shifted to nearby hospitals for treatment. Rescue operations were carried out by teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), fire services, and police department. District Collector and Police Commissioner were present at the site and monitored the situation closely. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Cheif minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu said, The death of seven devotees in a wall collapse during the Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Chandanotsavam has deeply saddened me. The incident, caused by heavy rains, is truly unfortunate. I extend my heartfelt condolences to the families of those who lost their lives. I have spoken to the District Collector and SP regarding the situation and instructed that proper medical care be provided to the injured. I am continuously monitoring the situation. . . , . N Chandrababu Naidu (@ncbn) April 30, 2025 Revenue Minister Anagani Satya Prasad, who visited the temple along with other officials, expressed grief over the incident. It is unfortunate that devotees lost their lives during the festival. The government will provide support to the bereaved families, and those injured are receiving medical care, he said. The Minister appealed to devotees not to panic and assured that authorities were handling the situation with urgency. From Amaravati, Endowments Minister Anam Ramanarayana Reddy also conveyed condolences. In a statement, he said, I express deep sorrow over the wall collapse incident at the Simhachalam temple. It is distressing that eight pilgrims lost their lives due to the weather conditions. He added that an immediate rescue operation was ordered, with NDRF teams and ambulances deployed. The Collector, Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha, and other ministers have reached the site to assess the situation, he said. The Minister further stated that the government has initiated an inquiry into the incident. Measures will be taken to ensure the safety of devotees in temple premises to prevent similar incidents in the future. Responding to the incident, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) has demanded that District Collector and Utsav Committee in-charge Ramachandra Mohan be held responsible for Wednesdays tragic incident at the Simhachalam temple. Speaking to the media, VHP State Math-Mandir representative Pudipeddi Sharma stated that taking up the responsibility of organising the Chandanotsavam festival does not mean merely securing VIP passes and going for darshan. He alleged that officials, who remained focused on serving VIPs, had completely neglected the common devotees and left them to face the consequences. It was a close call for me I had passed through the same spot just three to five minutes before the wall collapsed. We heard a loud crashing sound as the wall came down, and it was truly frightening, recalled a devotee in the Rs 300 queue line.
During the Chandanotsavam festival at the Sri Varahalakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple in Visakhapatnam, a temporary structure collapsed early Wednesday, resulting in seven fatalities and four injuries. The 20-foot section failed around 2:30 a.m. amidst heavy rainfall as devotees gathered. Rescue operations were promptly initiated by SDRF and NDRF personnel, and investigations into the cause of the collapse are underway.
Google to Build Cloud Data Center in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh | Tech Boost for the State Hello Vizag
Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assemblys petitions committee holds first meeting in Visakhapatnam
Steps are being taken to create awareness on the committee, says Deputy Speaker
APPCB Chairman launches E Waste Management facility at Andhra Pradesh MedTech Zone
Visakhapatnam Port Authority Chairman pays tributes to Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
Visakhapatnam district experiences below normal rainfall in April
Anakapalli and Alluri Sitharama Raju districts received good rainfall, say officials
In view of summer, drinking water kiosks have been arranged at 193 points for the convenience of devotees
Students of the Department of Social Work of Mizoram University visit Andhra University
IRCTC announces special air package, Ramayan trail of Sri Lanka, from Visakhapatnam
The tour will be from June 28 to July 3, say officials
Two-day CII workshop for entrepreneurs concludes in Visakhapatnam
Pak Man And His Son Get Relief, Can Stay in Vizag Until Further Notice
Since they have applied for a long-term visa, the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) in Hyderabad has given oral permission for them to remain in India, said Visakhapatnam commissioner of police Dr Sankabrata Bagchi
Arrangements in place for annual Chandanotsavam at Simhachalam
Around 2 lakh devotees are expected to participate in the festival this year
Cavaliers win ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India The Hindu FIC Cricket Trophy
Cavalier Cricket Club defeats Galaxy Cricket Club by 47 runs
BJP chooses Paka as Rajya Sabha candidate
VIJAYAWADA: The BJP Central Election Committee has announced the candidature of Paka Venkata Satyanarayana for the Rajya Sabha byelection from Andhra Pradesh. Paka, an advocate from Bhimavaram in West Godavari district, has had a long and distinguished association with the BJP and its ideological affiliates. He began his political journey as a member of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in 1976, and later became active in student politics through the ABVP during his college days. Joining the BJP in 1980, Paka steadily rose through the party ranks, serving in various capacities, from town general secretary to chairman of the BJP State Disciplinary Committee. He also held key roles such as State convenor for BJPs Pravas Yojana and served as the partys election returning officer. An experienced organisational leader, Paka was the BJPs official spokesperson and vice-president of the erstwhile undivided Andhra Pradesh. He also served as a member of the Bhimavaram civic body, and contested for the chairman post from the BJP. In 2006, he contested as an MLC candidate, and was appointed as a member of Visakhapatnam Port Trust. With decades of commitment to the party and grassroots politics, Pakas nomination is seen as the BJPs move to strengthen its presence and organisational base in the State, ahead of upcoming political battles.
TDP wins mayoral posts, takes control of urban governance
VIJAYAWADA: In a major political triumph, the NDA has secured key mayoral and municipal chairperson posts in the State, further tightening its hold over urban governance. In Visakhapatnam, Pila Srinivasa Rao of TDP, supported by the NDA, was elected Mayor of the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC). The election, chaired by Joint Collector Mayur Ashok, saw participation from 73 corporators and ex-officio members. Visakhapatnam South MLA Vamsi Krishna Yadav proposed Raos name, with North MLA P Vishnu Kumar Raju backing the nomination. TDPs Kovelamudi Ravindra Babu (Nani) clinched the Mayoral post of the Guntur Municipal Corporation (GMC), defeating YSRCPs Achala Venkata Reddy by a margin of seven votes (3427). The closely contested election was overseen by Bhargav Teja, with Union Minister Pemmasani Chandrasekhar and senior leaders attending. A key highlight was TDPs win in Kuppam municipality, a bastion of Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu. TDP candidate V Selvaraj secured the chairman post with 15 votes against YSRCPs nine. Jubilant celebrations followed, with MLCs Kancharla Srikanth and KRJ Bharath terming it a reflection of public trust. The NDA continued its winning run elsewhere too. In Tuni municipality, Narla Bhuvana Sundari and Achanta Suresh of TDP were elected unopposed as chairperson and vice-chairman after YSRCP councillors boycotted the election. Tuni MLA Yanamala Divya welcomed the transition. In Macherla municipality in Palnadu district, TDPs Shaik Madar Saheb won the vice-chairman post with 23 votes. In Palakonda Nagar Panchayat in Parvathipuram Manyam district, Akula Malleswari, a recent defector from YSRCP, was elected as chairperson unopposed. These victories come as a major boost to the NDA ahead of upcoming local body elections, reinforcing its urban political base across the State.
Capital Amaravati is heart and soul of Telugu people: CM
VIJAYAWADA: Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu called upon the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) leaders from the State to not only give a rousing welcome to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is visiting the State on May 2 to relaunch the development of Amaravati capital city, but also make it a resounding success. During a teleconference with the NDA leaders on Monday, the Chief Minister said that Amaravati is a symbol of the self-respect of all the Telugus. Naidu also asked all the NDA leaders to see to it that no inconvenience is caused to those who are attending the public meeting to be addressed by the Prime Minister. How a family dreams of having a decent house to live in, similarly the State too should have a capital that its people can proudly claim. As decentralisation of development is the policy of the NDA, all the Central educational institutions have been located in North Andhra, Coastal and Rayalaseema districts since 2014. We will develop all the regions in an equal manner, Chandrababu Naidu said. Pointing out that Telangana is getting 70 percent of revenue from Hyderabad, Karnataka from Bengaluru and Tamil Naidu from Chennai, the Chief Minister said that the State too would get similar revenue after the development of Amaravati. He termed Amaravati as the soul of the State. Observing that the farmers had voluntarily donated their lands for building the capital, the Chief Minister said that, besides constructing the capital on these lands, the government is allotting residential and commercial plots to them after proper development. Industrial parks to come up in 42 constituencies We are making the farmers partners in capital construction, he added. Expressing confidence that the youth would get job opportunities on a large-scale if industries were set up in the State, Naidu affirmed that building roads would not only improve transportation facilities but also strengthen the States economy. He, however, warned against the rivals who were deliberately misleading people and trying to obstruct the development. He told the NDA leaders to alert the public and also explain them about the various development initiatives taken up by the government. The Ministers and the MLAs should take the responsibility of reaching out to the people and explain to them about various government schemes, he added. We are committed to both welfare and development of the State by overcoming all the challenges, Naidu said. The State government is moving ahead by fulfilling the promises made to the people in just 10 months of coming to power, Naidu said and informed the NDA leaders that the Centre had sanctioned funds for Polavaram project, railway zone for Visakhapatnam and `11,400 crore for the steel plant. He also pointed to the welfare schemes being implemented under the new regime, citing the recently issued DSC notification for 16,347 vacant teacher posts. He also announced that investment assistance would be extended to farmers next month under the Annadata scheme. He also announced that setting up of industrial parks in 42 constituencies across the State will begin from next month. Steps will be initiated soon towards realising the One Family-One Entrepreneur by setting up such industrial parks in all the 175 Assembly segments, he added. Stating that the construction of Rayalaseema steel plant too would be taken up soon, Naidu said that Visakhapatnam would be developed as an economic capital while Tirupati would become a spiritual city. Erain-Co in Ramayapatnam and ArcelorMittal Steel in Anakapalle are investing lakhs of crores of rupees, he said and stated that if Mittal plant is completed Visakhapatnam district with two steel plants will become the largest steel producing city in the country. Rayalaseema will be developed as a defence hub, with electronics, automobiles, drones, satellite launching and green-energy sectors, he said.
INTERVIEW: The main issue in Kochi is drugs, says City Police Commissioner
The position of the Kochi police commissioner is often regarded as a hot seat a high-pressure, high-stakes role. And DIG Putta Vimaladitya, who also heads the Kerala Anti-terrorist Squad, is one of the youngest officers to hold the post. Here, the former CBI officer speaks about his views on modern policing, narcotics, terrorism, and the priority issues on his table. Excerpts: City Police Commissioner Putta Vimaladitya The people of Kochi are not very familiar with your personal background, except for the fact that you were brought up in a farmers family. Could you elaborate on how you entered IPS? Even though my father was a farmer, he was a highly educated man who actively participated in social activities. It was during my engineering days that I developed an interest in civil services. After completing my engineering degree, I did an internship for a year in Bengaluru. It was during that time that I made the decision to pursue civil services. One of the main reasons was that, as we grow up in society, we take a lot from it. I strongly felt that if the right people occupied critical positions, they could make a positive impact. That is how I moved away from the corporate sector and entered public service. You studied at BITS Pilani, right? What was the turning point for you? Was IPS your first preference? It was my second preference; IAS was my first. Initially, I was selected for the Revenue Service. After training in Customs and Central Excise, I eventually got into the IPS. IPS and IAS are not very different in nature. Both involve significant public interface, and the nature of the work is quite similar. However, IAS officers have a wider scope as they manage various departments, whereas policing is a more specialised vertical. I was satisfied with policing. I settled into the police service, got married, and committed fully to this career. Policing has evolved. Its no longer a simple, narrow field it has become very vibrant with multiple specialisations. In my 15 years of experience, I have worked in law and order, anti-terrorist squads, and been part of commando operations. I have also taught new recruits at the police academy, specialising in cybercrime investigation and digital forensics for 2.5 years. So, there is a clear connection between my engineering background and my current role. I have been able to apply what I studied in my work. Later, I worked with the CBI. After coming to the city, we collaborated with Cusat on several projects, incorporating technology and AI to solve police-related issues. We work closely with NGOs too, so in many ways, one becomes a social activist, a technocrat, and a public servant. Have you felt the need to bring any changes or modernise the police department? The department has improved significantly over the last 15 years, but there is still more to be done. In a democratic society, policing must shift from being seen purely as an enforcement agency to becoming a security service provider. When you compare the new generation of police personnel to the older generation, there is a noticeable difference. The younger officers are more open to technology and are quick to adapt. Kerala Police, in particular, is ahead of many other state police forces. Through my experiences at the Police Academy, CBI postings in Kolkata and Visakhapatnam, and interactions with different state units, I have seen that Kerala Police responds to the public more effectively. Filing an FIR in Kerala is straightforward, unlike in many other states. Access to police is also much easier here. Two weeks ago, at about 6.30pm, two young boys one aged 14 and the other around 12 walked directly into my office. They said, We dont have a mother. Our father has been arrested. If you release him, we could go home. I dont think, in my own state [Andhra Pradesh], at that age, I would have imagined walking straight into the commissioners office with such a request. There has been a lot of discussion about drug abuse in Kerala. How is the police tackling this menace? There are two sides. First, the supply side identifying and cracking down on the suppliers. Second, curbing the demand. We feel mere awareness isnt enough. People already know that drugs are harmful. Whats needed now is education making citizens understand how drugs impact lives. Moral lectures do not change behaviour. We need a 360-degree programme. The first group we must target is children. Second, parents must be made aware. Currently, many parents live in denial believing their child would never get involved. We need to focus on early detection. Third, teachers must be trained as children spend significant time at school. Parents, teachers, and community members must be scientifically educated on how to intervene. Education must follow a syllabus, not random lectures. We have formed a group of six experts to design a proper syllabus. We will train resource persons who can deliver these sessions to students, teachers, parents, and community associations. Is this going to be incorporated into the school curriculum? As of now, no. We will train resource persons who will conduct sessions at various schools and institutions. Trainers themselves need proper training before they can deliver these sessions effectively. Another major aspect is how we treat users. Currently, users are often seen only as criminals because possession is illegal. But substance abuse is primarily a psychological issue it alters brain structure and function. Users should be treated with support and compassion, not isolated or stigmatised. On the supply side, we must continue taking strong action against dealers not just petty sellers, but bigger networks. Prosecution must also be strong to ensure convictions, which act as a deterrent. City Police Commissioner Putta Vimaladitya Recently, the excise minister mentioned that Kerala has one of the highest conviction rates in the country. What are your views? Our conviction rate is indeed high. Conviction rates, however, must be considered in different categories. First, when it comes to consumption cases under Section 27B, which deals with small quantity offences, these are all bailable offences. In such cases, individuals often confess, pay the fine, and are released. Conviction rates in such cases are high, almost nearing 100 per cent. However, when it comes to intermediary and commercial quantity cases, the conviction rate still needs significant improvement. Can Section 27B be considered a loophole, similar to gold smuggling, where only a certain quantity is treated as a major offence? Lke 900g being the cut-off in the case of ganja... If individuals are not trading the drugs, they should not be considered hardened criminals. Personally, I believe that mere possession of small amounts for personal use should not be made a non-bailable offence. However, 900g is excessive. In my opinion, the maximum quantity should have been fixed at 50g. Setting it at 900g was a mistake. It should be reduced through an amendment. Recently, there was a discussion that Kerala has more drug cases than even Punjab It isnt like Kerala has more numbers. It means that the enforcement is stronger. This year we caught some Bangladeshis, but that doesnt mean they only came to the city this year. They were here before as well. An increase in cases is a positive sign. The media, however, portrays this negatively. We are noticing a shift to chemical drugs, which are harder to detect. What steps are being taken to address this? Currently, we are collaborating with universities to leverage technology for drug detection. When I was posted in Kannur, I worked with Kannur University. Now, I work closely with Cusat. We are trying to develop a handheld device that can give an indicative result about the type of drug. We need a non-intrusive, immediate tool for drugs. There seems to be more focus on the sale and use of drugs, rather than on the sources We do focus on identifying the sources. Ganja mainly comes into Kerala from eastern states such as Odisha, mostly via train. For MDMA and other chemical drugs, major hubs are Delhi and Bengaluru. Suppliers use apps like Telegram to make tracking difficult often by leaving packages at anonymous spots like electric transformers or random pillars. Simply obtaining a confession is not enough to prove the source legally. There must be solid evidence, including transaction records. Unfortunately, such evidence is hard to find in most cases. We are making every effort. City Police Commissioner Putta Vimaladitya Was there a rush in the case involving actor Shine Tom Chacko did the arrest and bail happen in a hurry? We didnt arrest him (Shine). There was no rush. We booked a case against the actor after two days of the incident. A case was registered, his statement was recorded during the interrogation, and he was released after serving a formal notice. The actor was booked under Section 27 (drug consumption) and Section 29 (abetment and criminal conspiracy) of the NDPS both of which are bailable offences. In such cases, the investigating officer has the authority to release the individual after issuing a notice. We have taken his hair sample for lab tests. There is an increasing number of reports of drug abuse in the film industry. Is there any targeted programme to handle this issue? We can act only after proper verification. Raids on film shooting sets can be possible when there is credible information. We are building a network. If we receive such information, we will definitely conduct inspections. Otherwise, how can the police enter a film set without any solid intel? Online scams are also on the rise... The problem is huge. Criminals will continue to come up with new methods. The actual number of offences is much higher than what is officially reported. Awareness is one of the most important things. The second is discipline when using digital devices. This applies not only to financial fraud but also to relationships. A proper code of conduct is essential when engaging in the digital space. City Police Commissioner Putta Vimaladitya You head the Kerala Anti-Terrorist Squad as well. There have been reports of ISIS links in Kerala. What is the current scenario? There have been no recent incidents where a group has engaged physically to radicalise individuals. However, there are still sections of people with extremist ideologies. Monitoring such elements is essential. The ISIS issue is almost done here. It is not currently active. That said, we cannot say it has been rooted out completely. Sleeper cells? Sleeper cells refer to individuals who aim to spread extremist ideologies and wait to act at the opportune moment. Currently, we do not have any specifically active or openly functioning sleeper cells. However, a number of individuals are under surveillance. We are closely monitoring them. Are there Maoist activities in Ernakulam? Some individuals previously booked in Maoist-related cases are still out there. Maoism is an ideology. We cannot completely eradicate an ideology. However, in the last two years, around 18 identified Peoples Liberation Guerrilla Army cadre were arrested. Now, our forests are free from armed Maoist cadre. But in urban areas, there are people who continue to spread the ideology. These groups often operate under the cover of organisations and try to align with certain social issues. We are monitoring such activities. There were reports that the Kerala Police is procuring AK-203 rifles. Is this for the ATS? It is a continuous upgrade process. The AK-203 is a superior weapon it is also an indigenous one. Previously, we had to import such weapons, but now this has been developed in India and is more advanced than the earlier models. Does the current law and order situation now demand equipping police officers with non-lethal weapons like tasers? I cant say that. But the police force needs to be specifically trained for handling different types of accused and criminals, especially today wherein we have accused people who are intoxicated and in various psychological conditions. There have been complaints about police behaviour towards the public Is any training being given to officers on this? Yes. There has been a lot of improvement. See, police personnel are also human beings. If there is a lot of provocation from the other side, or the personnel are working for hours or days at a stretch maybe sometimes, they lose their cool. We need to train them more. In all our conferences, we remind them, We are servants of the public. City Police Commissioner Putta Vimaladitya What are the challenges you face in policing a city like Kochi? The main issue is drugs. Then, Kochi has a floating population. That is a major concern. If we go through the old pending cases, the addresses of many people are invalid now. Let us say we catch some people for drink driving. If we check the addresses given after five months, they wont be there. This will result in pending trial cases. Another challenge is the traffic. A major limitation is that the roads dont have much width. The number of vehicles is also increasing rapidly. Parking is also a major issue. The vehicles are often parked illegally, but its not possible for us to seize all the vehicles. If we do, we will become a menace to the public. Thoughts must be given to how it can be solved. What about goonda activities? My predecessor (IG S Syamsundar) did very good work to curb that. [K] Sudarshan, who was the DCP earlier, and Syam sir did a lot of effective work. Proper mechanisms were created. We are continuing with it. About 600 criminals were mapped, and are being monitored. Now it has gone up to about 900 criminals. We have also included NDPS offenders in that list. Kochi has a large migrant population, and concerns have been raised As we did not have the proper data, we did not know who they were, where they came from, or why they came. We have started scanning for Bangladeshis living here illegally. In the past couple of months, we found about 50 of them. In that context, we should have an effective mechanism. Why the sudden drive against Bangladeshis? There was no specific trigger or specific instructions. We found that this should be checked, so we started doing so. Is it continuing? Yes. The Bangladeshis get their Aadhaar done here. Not just Aadhaar, but other documents too. There are agencies that facilitate this. Now, Bangladeshis come to India, get their paperwork here identifying themselves as Indian, and then return to Bangladesh like tourists. City Police Commissioner Putta Vimaladitya Rash driving by city buses is a major issue city residents complain about... We undertake a lot of drives. We check for drink driving. We penalise them for speeding. We have checked the background of many of the drivers. We found that some of them have criminal history; some have drug cases also. As for repeat offenders, we have sent requests for suspension of licences. We have plans to launch a system that allows people to raise complaints easily. We are collecting details of all buses and generating QR codes, so commuters can scan and file complaints, be it against rash driving or misbehaviour. Another aspect of city traffic is that pedestrians dont feel safe. Kochi is one of the few cities where traffic signals dont stop for pedestrians. Yes, very few signals have red and green indicators for pedestrians. We have asked for an increase in such signals. As we wind up, could you share how you de-stress? I am quite active outdoors. I run, cycle, swim, and stay connected with several social groups in the city. What about films? I dont watch movies regularly. Not even police films? Not really (laughs). There is a tendency among some IPS officers to cultivate a rockstar image. Have you felt that way? (Smiles) It is a personality thing. Well, I am a shy person. I am not even active on social media. I dont seek to create any such identity or image. Interview by Team TNIE: Kiran Prakash, Rajesh Abraham, S Neeraj Krishna, Abdul Nazer M A, Krishnakumar K E, Krishna P S, A Sanesh (photos), Pranav V P & Harikrishna B (video)
2 Pak Nationals Await Nod To Stay In Vizag
Several Pakistani families visit Visakhapatnam for medical treatment due to low costs here, hospital sources said.
Tribals stage protest at Narsipatnam RDOs office seeking roads, school and safe drinking water
To clear summer rush, extra coaches for some trains
Trains from Visakhapatnam to Brahmapur, Bhubaneswar, Koraput and Raipur to get extra coaches from May 1-31 to manage waitlisted rush
VMRDA re-constitutes Sexual Harassment Prevention Committee
Upto 50 women employees of VMRDA can report issues, especially those related to sexual harassment, to the committ
Peela Srinivasa Rao elected as Visakhapatnam Mayor
He promises to focus on sanitation, street lighting, public health and proper drinking water supply
Google To Establish Centre In Visakhapatnam Soon: Chandrababu Naidu
Google and the Andhra Pradesh government signed a memorandum of understanding in December to establish an artificial intelligence data centre and cloud data centre in Visakhapatnam.
