New Convention Center by Lulu. Good Idea, but Wrong Location.
The proposed construction of a new Rs. 700 crore convention centre at the APIIC grounds opposite Harbour Park near RK beach has set alarm bells ringing for many Vizagites. Especially, for those living in the vicinity. It is true that Vizag does not have a large conference Center and adequate rooms to host a large conference. Any city that aspires to be a MICE destination must have adequate purpose-built space for hosting large events. So when the space became available near the beach it was natural for the government to grab the opportunity to build it here. But it seems to be a grave mistake. The proposal is for this 14 acre land is to have 5,000 seat conference halls, 200 room hotel, multiplex theaters and a shopping mall. There are only two roads to access the complex. The harbor park road on the West and the Beach road on the East. There is one small unused narrow road adjacent to the Pandurangaswamy temple. The beach road is narrow and crowded. The harbor pa