PM Modi to lay foundation stone of new Andhra capital on Vijaya Dasami

Vijayawada, Sep 25: Prime Minister Narendra Modi would lay the foundation stone for Andhra Pradesh capital city of Amaravati on the auspicious day of ‘Vijaya Dasami’ on October 22, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said here on Friday.

Modi has given his nod to attend the event, he told reporters after a meeting of the Capital Advisory Committee. Naidu had already performed 'Bhumi Puja' for the capital city coming up in Vijayawada region.

He reviewed the status of works for the foundation-laying ceremony on October 22 with the committee.

"The location where the foundation stone will be laid should be vaastu-compliant and a picturesque spot. In future, it will become the nerve centre of Andhra Pradesh, signifying river-linking and a spot where soil from all mandals will be mixed with the soil of Amaravati," an official release quoted him as saying.

Naidu suggested developing the location into a public space.

"It could have an exhibition from portraying Amaravati’s past to what it is in the present to what it will be in the future," Naidu said.

Noting that the "Birth of Amaravati – the People’s Capital"-- should be a spectacular extravaganza that should create an emotional bond with people of Andhra Pradesh, he said every citizen of the state should participate in the capital-building.

The capital city should be a dynamic city that all Telugus should be proud of, he added. During the brain-storming session, Naidu said sarpanches from all mandals in the state could carry soil from their places and culminate into a congregation in the capital region.

"The soil brought from all the mandals could be mixed with Amaravati soil to establish an emotional connection..," the Chief Minister said.

PTI