VIJAYAWADA/GUNTUR: Investigations are underway into two fire incidents that occurred during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Amaravati on May 2 to relaunch the capital city construction works.
The incidents, which raised concerns due to their timing, were reported near Vijayawada International Airport (Gannavaram) in Krishna district and Venkatapalem village in the Amaravati capital region.
The first fire broke out near Buddavaram, close to the Gannavaram Airport, just as the Prime Minister’s aircraft was preparing to land. Later that evening, another blaze erupted near the meeting venue in Amaravati around the time when PM’s helicopter took off, triggering plumes of thick smoke in both cases.
At Gannavaram, preliminary findings suggest the fire was likely accidental. Gannavaram Circle Inspector Siva Prasad said it may have originated from dry gum arabic (Tumma) bushes covering over five acres.
“Around 100 construction workers were in the area. A discarded cigarette or matchstick could have ignited the fire,” he said, confirming that all possible causes are being examined.
Fire Officer Sk John Ahmed added that glass shards reflecting sunlight might also have triggered the blaze. Five fire tenders were deployed, and no evidence of foul play has been found so far.
The fire near Venkatapalem destroyed high-value infrastructure, including silicon High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) pipes stored at four locations for 133 KV underground power lines. Two storage points were completely gutted.
Guntur Superintendent of Police (SP) P Satish Kumar and Thullur DSP T Muralikrishna visited the site the next day. Forensic samples were collected, with lab reports expected within ten days. Initial damage estimates stand at `9 crore.
In a related development, two foundation plaques laid in the year 2018 for the Secretariat and High Court were found damaged a day after capital works resumed. Thullur police registered a case and launched an inquiry. SP Satish Kumar has directed Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP )Ramanamurthy to oversee the investigation.