Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will address the public on the country’s strategic Missile Test Launch Facility proposed to be set up by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) off Nagayalanka coast on August 26.
In an official release, following talks with the DRDO team here on Monday, Krishna district Collector A. Md. Imtiaz confirmed that Mr. Rajnath Singh would address the public after unveiling the pylon of the facility on the campus of the government high school at Nagayalanka on August 26.
Additional Chief Engineer (DRDO-Secunderabad) Lt.Col. M.G. Timmayya and Executive Engineer V. Varaprasad are co-ordinating the exercise for the much-awaited event in the history of India’s defence research.
The DRDO team told The Hindu that Secretary (Department of Defence) and DRDO Chairman G. Sateesh Reddy would accompany Mr. Rajnath Singh.
Change of plan
The DRDO had to withdraw the idea of performing the bhumi puja on the exact project site at Gullalamoda in the heart of the Krishna Wildlife Sanctuary due to existing weather conditions. However, allowing huge gathering on the project site for the programme would most likely disturb the wildlife in the sanctuary, it was felt.
“Officials from the Defence Ministry, Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy and other key dignitaries will attend the programme. All the arrangements are being made,” said Mr. Imtiaz.
The key officials of the State government have been told to ensure every facility required by the DRDO officials in order to gear up for the programme.
The Roads and Buildings authorities have been directed to complete the repair of the project site approach road, so that the DRDO could make preparations to commence the project works.