Amaravati: Ready, set and history

History will be created today when the foundation stone is laid for the construction and development of Amaravati, the capital city of Andhra Pradesh. The expectations of the Andhra Pradesh government is high and Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to announce a strong package for the state of AP.

The city of Amaravati promises to be a marvel and when Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu is at the helm of affairs, something spectacular can be expected. A lot would depend on what sort of package is announced today by Narendra Modi.

The AP government has four demands:

• Special category status to AP
• A Rs 2 lakh crore financial package
• Infrastructure Projects
• Separate railway zone for the state

What can AP expect today:

Many feel that the special category status may not be announced today. However the PM is likely to announce a Rs 50 thousand crore package for the state. In addition to this there is likely to be announcement regarding the laying of triple railway tracks, infrastructure support and the conversion of some state highways to national highways.

The Andhra Pradesh government said recently that the estimated cost of building the new capital would ne Rs 1,20,000 crore. The city would have a host of features which would make it investment friendly. Further the AP government will also have to construct a High Court, Raj Bhavan, secratariat and the this entire process is expected to take five years.

What to expect from the Capital City?

It is the first capital in the country to be built as per vaastu and Feng Shui. In the first phase the AP government proposes to set up infrastructure that would create at least 7 lakh jobs.

Naidu says that the capital would be a health city. The e-waste management programme is being given a lot of emphasis and it promises to be one of the cleanest cities in the country. It would also have large green spaces with an eye on the eco-system.

There would be a huge emphasis on the transport system with a metro rail network and bus rapid transit with broad right of ways, arterial and sub-arterial roads. The city would also provide the walk to work environment. The city proposes to become a business district with several townships, institutions, recreational centres and spaces and water bodies etc.