What is happening in Andhra Pradesh…………..? --- Capital conundrum



With the reorganisation of the state into Andhra Pradesh (balance) and Telangana, Hyderabad which was the capital now became capital of Telangana. Political leaders from Andhra tried their best to keep Hyderabad as joint capital (which is absurd considering it being surrounded by areas from Telangana) or at best as a Union Territory (a la Chandigarh). However all these were thwarted by the Union Government. During the discussion in Parliament the then UPA government promised help in construction of a capital for the state of Andhra Pradesh. This was also reiterated by Mr Modi (then PM candidate and now Prime Minister) while his election campaign in Andhra. The then Union Government constituted a committee under Mr Siva Ramakrishnan to visit all the towns in Andhra and suggest a suitable place for capital city. The present chief minister during his campaign for state legislative elections sold a dream of constructing a capital like Singapore for the state. In fact he promised that he will develop all the district capitals of the 13 districts in Andhra Pradesh like mini-Singapore.

Immediately after getting elected and forming the government the politics of the Capital have started. Ministers in Mr Naidu’s cabinet gave press interviews almost every day stating that capital could be between Vijayawada and Guntur even before the committee constituted by the Union Government submit their report. Mr Naidu himself constituted two committees with the directive to look into the possibility of development of area around Vijayawada – Guntur as capital. The committee visited Singapore, Malaysian Capital (Kuala Lumpur), Naya Raipur (Chhattisgarh capital) etc., to suggest a model. This is a clear attempt of subverting the opinion of the people and the Siva Ramakrishnan committee. There used to be news every day that  Singapore government has agreed to collaborate and help construction of the new capital and the blueprint is being prepared there etc. When media reports came out stating that Siva Ramakrishnan committee has suggested a different place for capital, there were criticisms by the ruling Telugu Desam party that a senior IAS officer with the committee has purchased lands around that area which is why that particular area has been suggested. This is an unfortunate development in Andhra politics in the recent times that anybody suggesting a particular activity will be immediately accused as interested party. There are lot of things to be taken into consideration for building a capital like availability of land for future development, availability of basic requirements like water, transporation facilities etc. Though the area around Vijayawada scores on basic requirements like water, transportation etc., it fails in the aspect of land availability for future development. Most of the lands around Vijayawada and Guntur are private lands whose rates have gone up manifold already in the recent past. There is little land available for future development.

Anyway when the government wanted to officially make an announcement in the state legislature, the main opposition party objected to the same stating there was no proper debate. For this the ruling party members commented that the opposition leader does not know the conventions properly and talking rubbish. He was accused of inciting regional differences. But the common sense point is once a cabinet decision is announced in the Assembly what will be the use of any actions of the opposition in Assembly? The government always has the privilege either to accept the suggestion of opposition or disregard the same. Ultimately the Chief Minister intimated the Assembly that the cabinet has taken decision to construct the capital in the area surrounding Vijayawada only disregarding whatever suggestions given by the Committee or debating / discussing the locations with other parties in the State. Hope this decision does not end up as a short sighted one in the long run.

Now the latest news is that Mr Naidu is considering constructing the capital in line with Chicago city in USA. So exit Singapore and enter Chicago for now. There is no guarantee that models of cities like Sao Paolo or even Washington does not come into picture in future. What will be shape and style of capital of Andhra Pradesh will be a million dollar (Singapore $? Or US $?) question.

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