The 66th Independence Day was celebrated in a grand manner at the municipal corporation, Parade Grounds, and other parts in the city on Wednesday.

Municipal Commissioner Md. Abdul Azeem, who unfurled the national flag at the VMC office, said that necessary steps were being taken to pool resources to complete the ongoing developmental works.

Sustained efforts were being made to get the dues under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) programme from the State government. The corporation was also chalking out plans to augment the revenue and attract investments.

Later, he handed over appreciation letters to employees of the VMC. CMOH M. Satyanarayana Raju, SEs Moses Kumar, Venkateswara Rao, city planner S. Chakrapani and others were present.

Police Commissioner N. Madhusudhan Reddy, while taking part in the celebrations at parade grounds, listed the measures taken to bring down the crime rate in the city. The fatal accident rate that stood at 7.95 (number of deaths per 10,000 vehicles) in 2010 was brought down to 5.91 in 2011. The city police took effective measures in controlling ragging in colleges. The vigil was stepped up to keep a tab on inter-state and inter-district criminals, he said.

At railway stadium

South Central Railway (SCR) Vijayawada divisional Railway manager Pradeep Kumar unfurled the national flag at the railway stadium. He took salute from various contingents which participated in the march past. All the branch officers of Vijayawada division and president and members of the SCR Women’s Welfare Organisation, students of the railway school also participated in the celebrations. Independence Day was also celebrated at the State Information Centre (SIC) and Information and Public Relations joint director office, and Divisional Public Relations Officer (DPRO). The staff rendered national anthem and recalled the services of freedom fighters.

Civil supplies officers T. Sivaram Prasad and Komali Padma hoisted the national flag at civil supplies office. They stressed on the need to continue the national spirit for better society and nation. Circle 1 and 2 RIs, fair price shop dealers, association leaders and others took part in the celebrations.