Naidu Clears Haze On Capital Area

[donganaaK]

Hyderabad, Nov. 9: Andhra Pradesh chief minister Chandrababu Naidu has finally ended speculation on the jurisdiction and borders of the proposed capital city in Guntur district on the other side of the Krishna river.

The river divides Guntur and Krishna districts.

“The new capital region will be just 18km from the Krishna riverfront and the farmers who part with their fertile land in this region will benefit immensely,” Naidu said, trying to allay their fears.

His declaration came in the backdrop of farmers of five villages, including the riverfront villages of Venkatayapalem and Rayapudi, both in Guntur district, protesting against a land-pooling exercise by the government.

Farmers of these villages protested against the “forcible acquisition of their fertile lands”.

Among their demands are 1,200 square yards of residential plots and employment for one eligible person for every acre of land acquired by the government. They also want legal sanctity for the transfer documents, alternative sources of revenue for temples, in case of acquisition of endowment lands, higher price for lands near highways and village-wise meetings before any final decision is taken.

The sub-committee of the Andhra cabinet on forming the capital had already announced land pooling and acquisition of 30,000 acres in 17 villages of Guntur district.

The new capital will extend 10.5km from Guntur Autonagar, an industrial hub, to Prakasam barrage, on the Krishna river, in the east; from Borupalem village in the west to the barrage, and from Autonagar Y Junction to the Ring road, covering almost 16km, in the south.

As part of the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014, the NDA government has already sanctioned Rs 5,000 crore for the new capital. The Naidu government is also raising funds through public and corporate contributions and also Social Impact Bonds.

“We will need a minimum of four to six years to build the capital city with an Assembly, secretariat, high court, quarters for staff and other government offices,” said P. Narayana, a minister and the key person in the proposed State Capital Region Development Authority.