Andhra Pradesh CM Naidu Expands Amaravati Dream, Set To Acquire Additional 40,000 Acres For Capital Development

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu is set to expand his ambitious Amaravati capital city project, with the state government preparing to acquire an additional 30,000 to 40,000 acres for infrastructure expansion including a new international airport, Indian Express reported exclusively.

This push follows Naidu’s return to power in June 2024 and signals a decisive shift from the previous YSRCP government's decentralised three-capital plan.

Between 2014 and 2019, during Naidu’s earlier tenure, 34,241 acres were procured from 29,881 farmers across 29 villages in Guntur district.

The latest acquisition will support a range of projects including outer and inner access roads, a ring road, and connectivity to major routes such as Hyderabad, Machilipatnam, and Visakhapatnam.

The Andhra Pradesh Capital Region Development Authority (APCRDA) is scouting for land in Guntur and Krishna districts for the proposed airport. The decision comes amid concerns that the Vijayawada airport may soon be overburdened.

A source told IE that the proposed international airport in Amaravati aims to offer swift and convenient access to the capital, particularly as the existing Vijayawada airport is expected to face capacity constraints in the near future.

The APCRDA has already floated 59 tenders worth Rs 37,702.15 crore for roadworks, bridge upgrades, water supply, flood management, and urban greenery.

These are part of 73 projects cleared by the Cabinet amounting to Rs 48,012 crore. Minister P Narayana confirmed that around 20,000 workers from states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Odisha will be involved in the ongoing works.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been invited to officially relaunch construction, with APCRDA Commissioner K Kannababu stating the works are estimated at Rs 1 lakh crore.

The state expects to secure funding from multiple sources, including Rs 15,000 crore from the Centre, $800 million from the World Bank, Rs 11,000 crore from HUDCO, and $789 million from the ADB.

The state has resumed talks with Singapore, whose government contributed to the original masterplan. Minister Narayana estimated the revised cost of the basic capital at Rs 64,000 crore.

The 217 sq km core capital zone includes the 16.9 sq km seed area for key institutions. Nine themed cities and a 7,420 sq km metropolitan area are also envisioned. Of 6,203 acres lying unused, 1,900 acres will be repurposed for education, medical, and hospitality sectors.

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