India Grand Prix F1H2O boat racing

Officials inspect site on Krishna river bank

Vijayawada: After successful conduct of Dasara festivities on Indrakeeladri, the district administration shifted its attention to host the India Grand Prix F1H2O boat racing in Krishna river from November 16 to 18. 

International boat racers will participate in the first ever such mega racing event in Krishna river. The district level co-ordination committee has been formed with the officials of 30 departments to host the three-day event.

 District Collector B Lakshmikantham, Municipal Commissioner J Nivas, Managing Director of the AP Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC) Himanshu Shukla and other officials on Saturday inspected the Krishna river, the head water works and Berm Park.

The officials have decided to give top priority for the safety of viewers as the event will be organised in Krishna river and viewers will be very close to the river. 

Irrigation, State Disaster Response Force, police and other departments have to be on high alert to prevent any untoward incident. 

Construction of galleries for onlookers along the Krishna river is a challenging task as less than a month is left for hosting the event.

Separate galleries will be arranged for the VIPs, VVIPs, visiting guests from abroad, players, local people and media. 

District Collector B Lakshmikantham instructed the representative of the Durga flyover construction contractor to immediately remove the waste material along the river so that construction of the galleries can be taken up.

It will take some days to remove the debris along the river. The officials inspected Krishna river and adjacent areas for construction of galleries and providing space for parking of vehicles. 

Later, interacting with the media persons, Lakshmikantham said Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu determined to host the India Grand Prix F1H2O boat racing competitions successfully in Krishna river. 

He said it is expected nearly two lakh people watch the event. 
APTDC Managing Director Himanshu Shukla said the department is contemplating to take the lands belonging to the private people along the Krishna river to develop tourism in the area. 

He said it is inevitable to take the lands of the private persons along the river to host important and big events in future. 

He said proposals are being made to host Amaravati Global Musical festival and crafts exhibition next month to mark the India Grand Prix F1H2O boat racing competitions. 

Municipal Commissioner J Nivas said the VMC is developing greenery along the canal bunds.