By KVVV Charya
Now, it is Amaravati, the capital of Andhra Pradesh. After bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh, in the year 2014, the then Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu planned a model capital christened as “Amaravati”.
A modern and sustainable city on the banks of River Krishna was planned by Naidu, and after his defeat in the year 2019 elections, the project was abandoned by the next Chief Minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy. The later wanted multiple capitals – Vishakapatnam and Karnool added to Amaravati, as administrative, legislative and judicial cities.
After 2014 elections, Naidu’s return as the Chief Minister of the State thus giving new lease of life to his original proposal of building capital at Amaravati.
As per the vision document prepared in 2014, visualized Amaravati to be built on a area of 217 sq. km,. It will house, on the lines of Singapore, government city, justice city, financial city, knowledge city, electronics city etc.
All these are planned by land pooling scheme, where the farmers contributed about 34,000 acres land with a promise to pay annuity beside residential and commercial plots. The farmers who contributed to the land pooling will also get social benefits such as pension, loan waivers etc.
It may be greater challenge to Naidu to once again mobilize the resources to build the capital, which was completely demolished. He has to mobilize monies and build investor confidence. For which the Naidu government may have to adopt multi-pronged approach such as road-map for the project, time schedules and its benefits.
It is not so easy task. It has to create administrative infrastructure and residential colonies for its employees, which is major task before the government. Unless there is proper social infrastructure like education, healthcare and recreation facilities, it is very difficult to attract international investor. The proposed city cannot depend on the neighbouring towns for these social infrastructures.
Winning elections is one thing, but winning the confidence of the people is bigger task before Naidu. Unless Naidu government gain trust of the various stakeholders in the development of the proposed model city, it would be difficult to attract international industrial groups to invest in the building of the new city.
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