 "Why Chandrababu Naidu is not taking oath in Amaravati, the future capital of Andhra Pradesh")
Andhra Pradesh chief minister-designate N Chandrababu Naidu is set to be sworn in at exactly 11:27 am on Wednesday (12 June). Initially scheduled to take place in Amaravati, the new state capital, the swearing-in ceremony will now be held near the Kesarapalli IT Park at Gannavaram in Krishna District.
This shift has raised questions about the logistics and readiness of Amaravati as a venue.
The Kesarapalli IT Park, inaugurated by former Andhra chief minister Y S Rajasekhar Reddy in 2006, aims to turn Vijayawada into an IT hub. The park is strategically located close to the Vijayawada International Airport (less than one-and-a-half kilometres) and is under 20 kilometres from Vijayawada city.
This proximity is crucial given the expected attendance of multiple leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, central government representatives, and members of various political parties. The IT Park ground, spanning 18-20 acres, can accommodate up to 50,000 people, making it an ideal location for the ceremony.
On the other hand, Amaravati, nearly 35 kilometres from the Vijayawada airport, poses logistical challenges. Hosting the swearing-in there would require constructing at least six helipads to facilitate movement from the airport. Additionally, Amaravati has seen minimal development over the past five years, further complicating its suitability as a venue.
Why has development been stalled in Amaravati?
Naidu laid the foundation stone of Amaravati in 2015, envisioning it as a major project spread over 217 square kilometres. This ambitious initiative came after Andhra Pradesh lost Hyderabad to Telangana in the 2014 bifurcation.
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More ShortsHowever, development stalled following Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy’s victory in the 2019 state assembly elections. Jagan proposed a three-capital formula, designating Visakhapatnam as the executive capital, Amaravati as the legislative capital, and Kurnool as the judicial capital.
This freeze on Amaravati’s development was a blow to farmers who had handed over their land in exchange for promises of prime real estate, as well as to developers associated with Naidu. Property prices in Amaravati plummeted to as low as Rs 3,500 per square yard, reported Indian Express.
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In March 2022, the AP High Court directed the Jagan-led government to develop Amaravati as the state capital. However, the Jagan administration challenged this order in the Supreme Court, where the matter is still pending.
What was Naidu’s vision for Amaravati?
Amaravati’s planning and initial development were rapid. In 2016, a capital city master plan estimated the project cost at Rs 50,000 crore, envisioning a greenfield city in Guntur district on the south bank of the Krishna river. The master plan, prepared by a consortium of Singapore firms led by Surbana Jurong, covered urban design, infrastructure, and industrial development planning.
During Naidu’s previous tenure, infrastructure for MLAs, MLCs, AIS officers, and secretariat staff was built, but finishing touches remained. A high court building, secretariat, and legislative complexes were operational.
In the recent Assembly elections held on 13 May, the TDP-led coalition, including the Jana Sena Party (JSP) and the BJP, secured a decisive victory, winning 164 seats . The TDP emerged as the dominant force with 135 seats, while the JSP won in all 21 constituencies it contested. The BJP secured eight out of the 10 seats it contested, solidifying the coalition’s triumph.
What now for Amaravati?
Naidu’s return to power has rekindled discussions about Amaravati’s future . The city remains a symbol of his vision for Andhra Pradesh. With the capital project close to his heart, there is speculation about whether Naidu will revive Amaravati’s development.
The logistical challenges and political dynamics surrounding the capital city continue to be a focal point in Andhra Pradesh’s political landscape.
Despite the shift of the swearing-in ceremony to Gannavaram, Amaravati’s significance as a planned capital city remains in the spotlight. Naidu’s leadership and the coalition’s recent electoral victory could potentially pave the way for renewed focus and investment in Amaravati, fulfilling the promises made to the farmers and developers involved in its initial stages.
Also Read: How Andhra Pradesh elections left many political families estranged
The coming months will be crucial in determining the trajectory of Amaravati’s development and its role in Andhra Pradesh’s future.
With inputs from agencies
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