'Hudhud' failed to break spirit of Vizag residents: Naidu

Visakhapatnam: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu on Monday said cyclone Hudhud caused devastation in this port city last year but failed to break the spirit and resilience of its residents.

"Hudhud shook the city but not the spirit of Vizagites," he said.

Chandrababu was speaking at a public meeting organised to observe the first anniversary of Hudhud which had left a trail of destruction in Visakhapatnam where it made landfall on October 12, 2014.

Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu was also present at the event organised at RK Beach here.

Before addressing the meeting, Chandrababu took part in a candle light rally.

The Chief Minister said Visakhapatnam will be developed as one of the best cities in India with support from the Narendra Modi government.

The first phase of metro rail project in the port city will be completed by 2018. The proposed international airport at Bhogapuram in adjoining Vizianagaram district, once completed, will help in making Visakhapatnam a great city, he said.

A total of Rs 2,200 crore is to be spent on various development projects in the city, including beautification of beaches, renovations of zoo and Kambalkonda Eco Park, he said.