VIJAYAWADA: Vijayawada city is all set to host the three-day F1H2O World Championship scheduled to begin on Friday. Addressing a press conference on the arrangements for the event, Krishna District Collector B Lakshmikantham said that Amaravati was hosting such an event for the first time and the government wanted to make it a huge success and bring fame to Amaravati. All arrangements for the event, from parking to traffic diversion, are in place, he added. Nine teams with 19 boats will take part in this event and each boat will run on a maximum speed of 250 km per hour. All participants have reached the city and have been accommodated in various hotels.
Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu will inaugurate the event at 3 pm. After the inauguration, boat riders will go for practice and cultural events will be performed. On November 17, general practice and league races will be held and on the final day, two races, Formula 4 and Formula 1, will take place. Naidu will flag off the Formula 4 race, which will last for around 30 minutes, at 3.15 pm. Formula 1 race will start at 4 pm and go on for 50 to 60 minutes.
Collector Lakshmikantham said all arrangements were made to avoid inconvenience to the viewers. “Soon after the completion of the race, valedictory function will be held and on all three days, celebrities will perform at Berm Park. In case of emergency, we have developed a green channel at Prakasam Barrage for evacuation. Arrangements have been made for people to be taken to Manipal Hospital in less than 10 minutes. Three ambulances, fire engines, and a special medical camp are also available near the event arena. We are also installing LED screens at various public places in the city for the people who are unable to make it to the venue for the event,” he added.