In all probability, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Amaravati on May 2 to relaunch and revive the proposed capital city of Andhra Pradesh under the TDP government. The scheduled visit of the PM is learnt to have come up for discussion during the Andhra Pradesh cabinet meeting held on Tuesday under the leadership of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu.
In 2015, PM Modi laid the foundation stone for Amaravati. In 2019, the YSRCP came to power and put the project on the back burner. The latest visit of the PM comes at a time when the Amaravati reconstruction works are gathering momentum, with the state government setting a three-year deadline to complete permanent government structures and road networks.
At the cabinet meeting, several key decisions were approved to expedite Amaravati's development works. Among them were the green signals given for the construction of permanent buildings for the Assembly and the High Court. The Assembly complex is estimated to cost Rs 617 crore and the High Court will come up at a cost of Rs 786 crore.
#WATCH | Amaravati: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu chairs a cabinet meeting at the Secretariat.
— ANI (@ANI) April 15, 2025
Source: I&PR Department, Andhra Pradesh pic.twitter.com/44052LPfrn
The cabinet also ratified decisions made at the recent Amaravathi Capital Regional Development Authority (CRDA) meeting, as part of the wider capital city planning process.
Meanwhile, a separate proposal to construct an international airport in Amaravati is gaining steam. While CM Naidu is keen on an international airport, a final decision on whether to opt for land acquisition or land pooling is yet to be taken.
Recently, Minister for Municipal Administration and Urban Development, P. Narayana said that land pooling is being considered as a more farmer-friendly alternative. Local MLAs have conveyed that acquisition could hurt landowners, as it offers only 2.5 times the registration value. In contrast, pooling provides better long-term returns and developmental benefits, he said.
The minister added that if the government goes with pooling, up to 30,000 acres may be needed to accommodate the airport along with support infrastructure such as roads, drains, and amenities. However, the minister clarified that no final call has been taken yet on this issue.
He also confirmed that 68 projects worth Rs 42,360 crore meant to develop the capital have completed the tendering process and construction has begun. The Mines Department has allocated 851 acres to the CRDA for gravel needed in the upcoming infrastructure works.
