UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Saturday arrived at the coastal town of Rajahmundry on a day's visit to Andhra Pradesh.
HYDERABAD: UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Saturday arrived at the coastal town of Rajahmundry on a day's visit to Andhra Pradesh to launch a series of development schemes and interact with members of women self-help groups.
Gandhi's five-hour packed schedule will cover East Godavari, West Godavari and Guntur districts.
Soon after her arrival at Rajahmundry in East Godavari district, she inaugurated 'Rajiv Gruhakalpa', a housing scheme for the urban middle class.
Interacting with the beneficiaries, the Congress President recalled that former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi had a special liking for Rajahmundry, a cultural hub situated on the banks of Godavari river.
She appealed to people to take advantage of various development schemes initiated by the Congress government.
Gandhi's visit comes against the backdrop of grim security scenario following twin blasts here last Saturday.
Tight security arrangements have been made for her visit.
Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhar Reddy and his Cabinet colleagues accompanied Gandhi.
Later, Gandhi proceeded to Thummuluru village in Guntur district where she would launch the second phase of the Congress government's 'Indiramma' housing programme for weaker sections.
After a brief interaction with the beneficiaries there, she would reach the district headquarters town of Guntur and address a public meeting at B R Stadium.
The local Congress leaders went through some anxious moments as incessant rains in the last few days had put a question mark over Gandhi's tour.
The ground, where public meeting is to be held, was slushy following heavy rains and the authorities had worked overtime to dry it up.
Later, she would leave for Eluru in West Godavari district and launch 'Indira Kranthi Patham', an anti-poverty scheme for urban self-help womens' groups.
Gandhi would proceed to Gannavaram airport near Vijaywada and return to New Delhi.
About 2,000 policemen were put on duty at Guntur and an aerial survey was conducted before Gandhi's arrival, official sources said.
The residents in the neighbourhood of the B R Stadium have been told to inform the police about the movement of any strangers in the area, they said.
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