HYDERABAD, July 21: The proposed seat of administration in the new capital city of Andhra Pradesh would have a central business district, residential townships, water bodies, parks, gardens, recreational spaces and water front.
All these facilities and buildings have been proposed in the Master Plan for Seed Capital Area (SCA) submitted by Singapore to Andhra Pradesh Government.
The plan for SCA, which would be the seat of administration, envisages various zones, including a central business district, residential townships, institutions, parks, gardens, water bodies, recreational spaces and water front.
Singapore's second Minister for Trade and Industry S Iswaran submitted the Master Plan to Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu at Rajahmundry yesterday, coinciding with the ongoing Godavari 'Maha Pushkaram' festival in that city.
Speaking on the occasion, Naidu vowed to build a "world-class city", yet a "people's capital" for Andhra Pradesh, which is deprived of the capital of its own post-bifurcation of the State last year.
The capital city, coming up in the Vijayawada region in coastal Andhra, is named as 'Amaravati'.
The Singapore Government, preparing the blueprint for AP's capital city free of cost, has submitted the Master Plans for the Capital Region and Capital City earlier.
The "Bhumi Puja" for the capital city has already been performed and Naidu has invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the foundation laying ceremony of the city on October 22.
The Chief Minister said he is inviting the Prime Ministers of Singapore and Japan also for the ceremony.
The SCA Master Plan is for an area of 16.9 sq kms, on the northern portion of the Capital City. The Seed Capital would be developed in five phases, the Government said.
Amaravati is envisaged to be developed as 'Smart, Green and Sustainable City'.
"In line of being developed as the People's Capital of Andhra Pradesh, our aspiration is to create a vibrant, diverse, inclusive, and modern city which will be a symbol of pride for the people of Andhra Pradesh and India," a statement from the Chief Minister's Office quoted him as saying.
The six key factors taken into consideration for this Master Plan are "providing jobs and homes, world-class infrastructure, quality living, protecting identity and heritage and, resource management and environment," it said.
The Seed Capital Area is planned for about three lakh residents. Being developed as a vibrant business hub, about seven lakh jobs are expected to be created in various sectors, including Government jobs, the statement said.
To provide and enhance mobility and accessibility to the citizens, the Master Plan provides a "transport hierarchy" that comprises an integrated network of metro rail network of about 12 kms, bus rapid transit of about 15 kms, downtown road of about 7 km, arterial roads and sub-arterial roads of about 26 km and collector roads of about 53 km, with varying broad right-of-ways.
Special emphasis has been laid to enhance development of extensive walkways and pedestrianisation interlinked with open and green spaces with a blue and green network of more than 25 km to promote walk-to-work environment and non- motorised transport.
The SCA Master Plan provides for waste management systems that would enable innovative methods for waste collection, transportation and treatment.
Naidu said yesterday that the Government would like to complete the first phase of the capital by 2018.
Noting that the exact amount required for developing the capital cannot be figured out at the moment, he said the State would chip in with funds, besides seeking Centre's help.
The CM said he has asked the Japan Government to join in the capital project as a member of the consortia led by Singapore.
Asked how massive job creation would be done, he said service sector, world-class education, health facilities, tourism would be promoted.
To a query, Naidu said best of the technologies in construction would be used and the proposed buildings would be quake and cyclone resistant.
The state's culture, traditions and heritage would be protected in developing the capital, but a blend of modern architecture is being aimed at too, Naidu said.
Naidu said Amaravati would be a mega city of which existing cities like Vijayawada and Guntur would be part of.
The capital region would have towns like Gudivada, Machilipatnam, Sattenapalli on one side and extend up to Eluru in neighbouring West Godavari district.
Replying to a query, Naidu said the State Government has got about 33,000 acres of land for the massive project through its "land pooling policy" so far.
Asked about fears of displacement among villagers in proposed capital area, he said the matter is still being worked out and that major towns and villages need not be vacated.
