Panel against developing greenfield capital for AP

Hyderabad: Sivaramakrishnan panel appointed by Centre is not in favour of developing a greenfield capital in AP. It opined that development of large cities will take time and people were “very passionate” about a new capital that can be developed faster. 

After meeting AP Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday, the committee addressed the media and dropped hints that it is in favour of development of a political-cum-administrative capital (not a huge city) and transforming towns and cities into smart ones with good connectivity.

The districts in Andhra and Rayalaseema have their local flavour and these should be developed in tune with the conditions suitable there for development of — be it IT, industrial or any other hub, the panel said.

The committee members said it would not be advisable to start building a new Greenfield capital city from scratch. One political-cum-administrative capital city and development of towns into better cities in all parts of seemandhra would result in balanced development.

This way acquisition of large chunks of land, particularly agricultural land and catchment areas of water bodies could be avoided. However, the committee members made it clear that development of cities in Seemandhra cannot take place without agricultural land has to be acquired but care should be taken to minimize the acquisition.

The committee chairman K.C. Sivaramakrishnan made it clear that it is the prerogative of the State government to decide the location of the capital city.

The committee has already toured Visakhapatnam, Rajahmundry, Vijayawada, Guntur and other places. It would also tour south Andhra and Rayalaseema and submit a list of multiple locations that would be suitable for development of political-cum-administrative city, five to six smart cities in tune with environmental norms, industrial, IT and business hubs. The committee will submit its report before August 31, the timeframe given to it.

To queries, he said Central government will extend financial assistance for development of capital city as per AP Reorganisation Act. Whether the Central government will have any role in location of capital city, Sivaramakrishnan said because the State has been bifurcated and new capital city needs financial assistance, there I a possibility of State taking a call on capital city location in consultation with the Central government. The committee will identify priority areas that need immediate funding and recommend it to the Central government.

The committee is also looking into how Godavari gas basin can be put to optimum use to propel the economic activity and growth in Andhra Pradesh. The committee also met the Governor and the Chief Justice separately on Saturday.