VISAKHAPATNAM: For the first time ever, Visakhapatnam will host the State Government’s official Independence Day celebrations on August 15. Police barracks, AU grounds and the city’s famous hot spot, the Beach Road, are being considered as the venue for the event.
The place will be finalised after a feasibility report prepared by the local authorities will be sent to the State Government in a couple of days, after consultations with the local civic and district administration.
As a start, the Beach Road was inspected by top officials of the city police including commissioner Amit Garg here Monday. The police commissioner, along with senior cops of special branch, traffic, crime, and also law and order visited the RK Beach.
Feasibility regarding the stage setup, viewers gallery, parking, VIP blocks, path of parade were discussed during the visit. The parade path would be from the Park Hotel to RK Beach and arrangements for diverting the parade, facilities and other arrangements are yet to be discussed.
ADCP (Special Branch) K Ravi Kumar said that around 15 contingents (Seven armed and eight un-armed) from various battalions such as AP Special Police, Armed Reserve, Civil police and other forces including Octopus and Greyhounds are likely to be part of the marching contingent.
The un-armed contingents will include NCC Cadets, NSS volunteers and Scouts. He said that each battalion consists of around 1,000 members, out of which 90 individuals would take part in the parade. Apart from them, most importantly, tableaux will also be showcased in the parade and the number of tableaux will be decided shortly.
Dog squads, bomb squads and other forces will also showcase drills. A short cultural programme will be held as part of the celebrations. Traffic diversion and other arrangements are yet to be studied. The programme also includes distribution of medals to merit officers by the chief minister.
Police sources said that the event would be most likely held from 8.30 am to 10.40 am and rehearsals for the same would commence from August 3. The final dress rehearsal is scheduled to be on Aug 13.
Post bifurcation, Kurnool hosted the Independence Day celebrations, while Vijayawada was the venue for Republic Day in 2015.