Amaravati will be driving force of Andhra Pradesh's economic growth: Chandrababu Naidu
Amaravati, July 15
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu said on Wednesday that Amaravati is being developed as a world-class city that will serve as the driving force of the state's future economic growth.
He said that the Integrated master plan for Amaravati should be designed as an inclusive capital city where people from all parts of the state can come to work and live together.
Reviewing the progress of the Amaravati 2.0 Integrated Master Plan and the Land Pooling Scheme (LPS-2) with senior officials and representatives from Singapore, the Chief Minister stressed on strengthening Amaravati's economy to create large-scale employment opportunities.
He said the capital is being developed into an international-standard city with well-planned Inner and Outer Ring Roads.
During the meeting, the Singapore team presented the project's scope, implementation strategy and action plan. They informed the Chief Minister that the plan includes area development, infrastructure planning and investment models.
Referring to the state's water resources, the Chief Minister noted that despite challenges posed by El Nino conditions, the Pattiseema Lift Irrigation Scheme has ensured the transfer of Godavari waters to the Krishna River, making the capital region water-secure and resource-rich.
He further stated that Amaravati should evolve into a creative city with a strong economic base. The government's goal is to achieve global benchmarks and one of the highest per capita income levels through sustainable and innovation-driven development. He added that Amaravati is being planned with a strong focus on environmental sustainability through the adoption of green energy and green building practices.
Meanwhile, the Andhra Pradesh government signed an MoU with the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) to promote inclusive and sustainable urban development across the state.
The strategic agreement was formalised between the Andhra Pradesh Municipal Administration Department and UN-Habitat in the presence of Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and UN-Habitat Executive Director Anaclaudia Rossbach, who participated virtually from Singapore.
The partnership aims to establish a Centre of Excellence for Urban Affairs in Amaravati as part of the state's SURGE AP, RISE AP and UPLIFT AP initiatives. The collaboration will focus on urban poverty alleviation, improving livelihoods for the urban poor and promoting inclusive city development.
Under the MoU, Andhra Pradesh and UN-Habitat will work together on strategic urban planning for regional economic growth, climate-resilient and sustainable urban ecosystems, digital governance, municipal finance and the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The two sides also agreed to showcase Andhra Pradesh's urban development achievements at the 14th World Urban Forum (WUF14) to be held in Mexico in 2028.
— IANS
Reader Comments
I'm cautiously optimistic. Chandrababu Naidu has done good work in the past with Hyderabad's development, but we need to see concrete results this time. The focus on green energy and sustainability is welcome. But what about affordable housing for the poor who are being displaced? The Land Pooling Scheme needs to be more transparent and farmer-friendly. Let's not repeat the mistakes of the earlier Amaravati phase.
The UN-Habitat MoU is impressive. If Amaravati can truly become a centre of excellence for urban affairs, it could put Andhra on the global map. But I worry about the cost - these international collaborations don't come cheap. Will the state's finances sustain such ambitious projects? Let's hope the private sector investment model works. The per capita income goal sounds great but only if it translates to better lives for common people.
As someone who works in urban planning in the US, I'm excited to see the Singaporean expertise being brought in. The integrated master plan approach with ring roads and green building standards is exactly what modern cities need. But I hope they also consider public transit infrastructure - just building roads won't solve congestion. The focus on climate resilience in the UN-Habitat partnership is crucial given India's vulnerability to extreme weather. 🌍
All this talk of world-class cities and global benchmarks is fine, but what about the thousands of farmers who lost their lands in the first phase of Amaravati? Many are still waiting for fair compensation. The government should learn from past mistakes and ensure the Land Pooling Scheme genuinely benefits the local population. Without inclusive growth, this will just become another elite enclave. Let's hope Naidu's vision includes the poor this time around.
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