The Hindu Business Line : Naidu's Formula One dreams for Andhra

IF the plans of the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, Mr N. Chandrababu Naidu, do materialise, you could well see Michael Schumacher, zipping past us on racing tracks in the State.

Mr Naidu has embarked on a one-man race to woo the promoters of Formula One Race to establish a racetrack and will soon be Europe-bound to meet the Chairman of Formula One Holding, Mr Bernie Ecclestone. He will be in Milan during the second week to witness the race at the invitation of Mr Ecclestone.

The Chief Minister on Wednesday said, "We are on track to convince the Formula One management to locate their racetrack in the State. But this will need a huge related infrastructure that includes creation of about 3,000 rooms of hotel space."

"This race-track has the potential to employ about 70,000 people in and around the city and needs a sustained effort. We believe the spin-off effect of such a major project is immense and could lead to lots of investments and also spur the international tourist traffic since it is estimated that about 8,000 rooms are required to host people who visit such race events."

"They have visited the State and showed interest in locating the project. It is for us to capitalise on their moves and bring in investments to the State. However, a lot of ground work needs to be done, which includes completion of the International Airport, creation of other infrastructure including hotels and other related facilities that are necessary when such events take place," he said.

"As is the case with most major projects, I need a lot of convincing to do. If necessary, I will come up with a White Paper on this so that people will understand the project in the right perspective," he said.

"As a part of such initiative, we have appointed IMG, to manage sports events in the State, and they are set to manage the proposed Afro Asian Games to be held in Andhra Pradesh.

"In order to leverage the available infrastructure and make it convenient for people, we have decided to develop a satellite township concept. Already, a Singapore-based developer and a Malaysian firm have begun work for two townships, and another Singapore firm and a Malaysian firm are set to begin work for the development of the township. Yet another township is planned near the proposed International Airport," he explained.

To meet the growing requirement for mega conventions, the Government has teamed up with Emmar Properties of Dubai to develop a world-class convention centre. "We are in parleys with the Centre and seeking their help to provide some subsidy so that these projects can be financially viable. Alongside this, Emmar Properties will develop hotels and a golf course," he said.

The Singapore-based departmental store— Mustafa, has evinced interest to locate a major store in Hyderabad and efforts are on to expedite the shopping mall.

Reuters checks out Hyderabad for India centre: "A team from the UK-based media major Reuters, which recently announced plans to locate a centre in India, visited Hyderabad and we are in parleys with them to facilitate their project," Mr Naidu said.

When asked to comment if the State Government was contemplating a Media City like that of Dubai, Mr Naidu said, "We have not thought about such a move, but if the situation demands that we create such a facility, we will do so."

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