Amaravathi: Ancient City Rebirth as Modern Capital of Andhra Pradesh; Amaravathi is the capital city of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. The city is located on the southern banks of the Krishna River in Guntur district with in the Andhra Pradesh Capital Region. Andhra Pradesh Capital Region is the conurbation or metropolitan area surrounding Amaravati, the new capital city of Andhra Pradesh.The entire region is under the jurisdiction of Andhra Pradesh Capital Region Development Authority, and covers an area of 8,603 km 2 (3,322 sq mi) under 58 mandals, of which 29 are in Krishna district and 29 in Guntur district.
Coordinates: 16°32′28″N80°30′54″E / 16.541°N 80.515°ECoordinates: 16°32′28″N80°30′54″E / 16.541°N 80.515°E | |
Country | India |
---|---|
State | Andhra Pradesh |
District | Guntur |
Government | |
• Type | Planning agencies |
• Body | Amaravati Development Corporation Limited, APCRDA |
Area | |
• City | 217.23 km2 (83.87 sq mi) |
• Metro | 8,352.69 km2 (3,224.99 sq mi) |
Population (2011)[3] | |
• City | 103,000 |
• Metro | 5,800,000 |
Time zone | UTC+5:30 (IST) |
Pincode(s) | 520 XXX, 521 XXX, 522 XXX |
Vehicle registration | AP-7, AP- 39 |
Official languages | Telugu |
Website | Amaravati official website |
Amaravati is the capital city of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh.[5] The planned city is located on the southern banks of the Krishna river in Guntur district, within the Andhra Pradesh Capital Region.[6] It is being built on a 217 sq km riverfront designed to have 51% of green spaces and 10% of water bodies.[1][7] The word 'Amaravati' derives from the historical Amaravathi village, the ancient capital of the Satavahana dynasty.[8] The foundation stone was laid on 22 October 2015, at Uddandarayunipalem area by the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi.[9] The metropolitan area of Guntur and Vijayawada are the major conurbations of Amaravati.[10]
Amaravati is being constructed to serve as the new capital city of Andhra Pradesh, after Telangana was split off as a separate state in 2014. The former capital city, Hyderabad, is now located inside Telangana. A new capital city had to be either assigned or constructed on the remaining territory of Andhra Pradesh and Amaravati was finally chosen as that.
As of October 2016, the majority of departments and officials of the Andhra Pradesh State Government are now functioning from interim facilities located in the Velagapudi area of Amaravati, with only a skeleton staff remaining behind in Hyderabad.[11] Since April 2016, the office of the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh started its operations from Velagapudi. The Andhra Pradesh Legislature remained in Hyderabad until March 2017, when it relocated to newly constructed interim legislative buildings in Velagapudi.[12]
- 5Government and politics
- 7Economy and infrastructure
- 9Transport
Etymology[edit]
The word Amaravati translates as 'the place for immortals'. It was formerly called Dhanyakataka ('where Shakyamuni Buddha taught the Heart Essence form of the Kalachakra Dharma to the Shambala kings').[8][13][failed verification]
History[edit]
The Dhyana Buddha statue, dedicated in 2015
The present capital area has its own historical significance of having recorded its first ever legislation 2,200 years ago.[14] The present-day capital region includes the ancient Amaravati. The area has been ruled by the Mauryas, Satavahanas, Ikshvakus, Vishnukundina, Pallavas, Telugu Cholas, Kakatiyas, Delhi Sultanate, Musunuri Nayaks, Bahmani Sultanate, Vijayanagara Empire, Sultanate of Golconda and Mughal Empire successively before the founding of the Nizam of Hyderabad in 1724. It was ceded to France in 1750 but was captured by the British in 1759. Guntur returned to the Nizamate in 1768 but was ceded to Britain again in 1788. It was briefly occupied by Hyder Ali. It was then ruled by Vasireddy Venkatadri Nayudu. It was part of Madras Presidency during the British colonial period.
As per the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act (2014), Hyderabad became the capital of the then newly formed state of Telangana, post bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh. However, Hyderabad would remain as the joint capital of both states for a period of time not exceeding ten years. Hence, Amaravati is being built to serve as the capital of Andhra Pradesh.[15]
The foundation for the city was laid at Uddandarayunipalem on 22 October 2015. The Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi; the then Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, N. Chandrababu Naidu; the Chief Minister of Telangana, K. Chandrashekar Rao; the Governor E. S. L. Narasimhan; the Japanese minister for economy trade and industry, Yosuke Takagi; and the Singaporean Minister for Trade and Industry, S. Iswaran, laid the foundation for the city.[9][16]
Vision[edit]
Chandrababu Naidu stated that his vision was to see Amaravati as the happiest city in the world.[17] Among the innovative features on the drawing board are navigation canals[18] around the city and connecting an island in the river Krishna and moreover government has envisaged an investment needed[19] of USD 2–4 billion for the development of the greenfield capital city[20]
Amaravati, being built on a 217 sq km open field in Guntur district, is being designed to have 51% of green spaces and 10% of water bodies, with a plan to house some of the most iconic buildings there. The city is being modelled on Singapore, with the masterplan being prepared by two Singapore government-appointed consultants. Other international consultants and architects will then be roped in to give it an international flavour.[21]
Geography[edit]
The city is being built in Guntur district, on the banks of the Krishna River. The city will be 40 kilometres (25 mi) south-west of Vijayawada and 32 kilometres (20 mi) north of Guntur.[22]
Government and politics[edit]
Secretariat complex during Independence Day, 2017
Map showing Amaravati in Andhra Pradesh Capital Region, spread across Guntur and Krishna districts
Administration[edit]
Amaravati is an Urban Notified Area and its urban development and planning activities are undertaken by the Amaravati Development Corporation Limited[23] and Andhra Pradesh Capital Region Development Authority (APCRDA).[24] The Andhra Pradesh Secretariat at Velagapudi is the administrative block for the employees of the state government.[25]
High court of Andhra Pradesh under construction (January 2018)
The APCRDA has its jurisdiction over the city and is the conurbation covering Andhra Pradesh Capital Region.[26] The capital city is spread over an area of 217.23 km2 (83.87 sq mi),[27] and will comprise villages (including some hamlets) from three mandals viz., Mangalagiri, Thullur and Tadepalle.[28] The seed capital is spread over an area of 16.94 km2 (6.54 sq mi).[29]
The table below lists the identified villages and hamlets under their respective mandals, which became a part of the capital city.[1]
Mandal | Settlements |
---|---|
Thullur mandal | Abbarajupalem, Ainavolu, Ananthavaram, Borupalem, Dondapadu, Kondarajupalem (de-populated), Lingayapalem (including Modugulankapalem hamlets), Malkapuram, Mandadam (Tallayapalem hamlets), Nekkallu, Nelapadu, Pitchikalapalem, Rayapudi, Sakhamuru, Thulluru, Uddandarayunipalem, Velagapudi, Venkatapalem |
Mangalagiri mandal | Krishnayapalem, Nidamarru, Kuragallu (including Nerukonda hamlets), Nowlur (including Yerrabalem & Bethapudi hamlets) |
Tadepalle mandal | Penumaka, Tadepalle (M) (Part) (Nulakapet, Dolas Nagar etc.), Undavalli |
Notes:
- M – municipality
- The names in brackets are the hamlet villages of the respective settlement.
Language and religion[edit]
The residents of Amaravati are Telugu-speaking people. Telugu is the official language of the city. Hindus form a very large majority.[30] There are also Muslim, Christian, and Buddhist communities. There is the iconic Amaralingeswara Swamy Temple, and the Amaravati Mahachaitya in the Amaravati heritage complex.[31][32][33]
Economy and infrastructure[edit]
The State government has initiated the Singapore-based Ascendas-Singbridge and Sembcorp Development consortium for the capital city construction. The new capital city’s infrastructure will be developed in 7–8 years in phases, at an estimated cost of ₹33,000 crore. ₹7,500 crore from Hudco, $500 million from the World Bank and ₹2,500 crore from the Indian Government, of which ₹1,500 crore has been granted.[34]
Nine themed cities consisting of Finance, Justice, Health, Sports, Media, and Electronics; including Government buildings designed by Norman Foster, Hafeez Contractor, Reliance Group, and NRDC-India will be built within the city.[35][36][37] Pi Data Centre, 4th largest of its kind in Asia, with an investment of ₹600 crore (US$87 million) and Pi Care Services, a healthcare BPO were inaugurated at Mangalagiri IT park.[38][39]HCL Technologies, an IT firm would set up one of its centres in Amaravati.[40][41]
BRS Medicity with an investment of $1.8 billion to come up in Amaravati.[42][43]Mangalagiri Sarees and Fabrics produced in Mangalagiri mandal,[44] a part of the state capital, were registered as one of the geographical indications from Andhra Pradesh.[45]
Buildings in Amaravati Government Complex[edit]
- AIS Housing
- Judicial complex
- APCRDA zonal office
- Gazetted officer's quarters
- Group D officer's quarters
- MLA and MLC quarters
- NGO housing
Education[edit]
SRM University, Andhra Pradesh and Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT-AP) had already begun the classes in their respective campus in Amaravati.[46][47]Amrita University, Amity University and Indo-UK Institute of Health (IUIH) in collaboration with the King’s College, London are among the others to set up their campus.[48][49][50][51] Amaravati's first management institute, Xavier School of Management (XLRI) was under construction near Ainavolu.[52]
Transport[edit]
A bridge on seed access road
The buses operated by APSRTC from Pandit Nehru Bus Station and NTR bus station, connects the city with Vijayawada and Guntur respectively.[53][54] Two new depots, North and South of APSRTC are proposed to be constructed in the city.[55]Auto rickshaws also operate for shorter distances in the capital city area.[56]
Roadways[edit]
The Amaravati–Anantapur Expressway, supported by Kurnool and Kadapa Feeder Roads is an ongoing greenfield expressway project, which would provide faster road access from the districts of Anantapur, Guntur, Kadapa, Kurnool and Prakasam to Amaravati.[57][58] The Amaravati seed capital road is an arterial road under construction to access the core capital area from National Highway 16.[59] The Vijayawada-Amaravati road connects the city with Vijayawada.[60]
Railway[edit]
![Capital Capital](http://www.sscjobresult.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Amaravati-Master-Plan.jpg)
A proposed Amaravati highspeed circular railway line would connect the city with the nearby cities of Vijayawada, Guntur and Tenali,[61] extending up to a length of 105 km (65 mi) with an estimated cost of ₹10,000 crore (US$1.4 billion).[62]
Air[edit]
Vijayawada Airport
The Vijayawada International Airport at Gannavaram serves the capital region by providing air connectivity to destinations across the country and to Singapore.[citation needed]
Sports[edit]
Cricket is the most popular sport in the region. ACA International Cricket Stadium (or Andhra Cricket Association International Cricket Stadium) is under construction at Nowlur, Mangalagiri mandal, part of the state capital.[63][64]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ abc'Declaration of A.P. Capital City Area–Revised orders'(PDF). Andhra Nation. Municipal Administration and Urban Development Department. 22 September 2015. Retrieved 21 February 2016.
- ^Subba Rao, GVR (23 September 2015). 'Capital region expands as CRDA redraws boundaries'. The Hindu. Vijayawada. Retrieved 31 October 2015.
- ^'CRDA eyes CSR funds to push job potential in capital city'. Times of India. Guntur. 1 July 2015. Retrieved 18 August 2015.
- ^'Amaravati to be divided into eight urban plan areas'. The Hindu. 3 April 2015. Retrieved 21 June 2016.
- ^Akbar, Syed (8 August 2016). 'Amaravati as official capital will boost Andhra Pradesh's image – Times of India'. The Times of India. Retrieved 1 May 2017.
- ^'Naming of the Residuary Andhra Pradesh State Capital as 'AMARAVATI''(PDF). Andhra Nation. Municipal Administration and Urban Development Department. 23 April 2015. Retrieved 1 May 2016.
- ^'Amaravati: A capital idea, but how feasible?'.
- ^ ab'After 18 centuries, Amaravati set to become a 'capital' again'. The Times of India. 22 October 2015.
- ^ ab'Thousands descend on Andhra village Uddandarayunipalem to watch history in making', Economic Times, 22 October 2015
- ^'Explained: Why Amaravati has been chosen as the new Andhra Pradesh capital'. The Indian Express. 21 October 2015.
- ^'Andhra Pradesh Secretariat starts functioning from interim government complex at Amaravati – Latest News & Updates at Daily News & Analysis'. 3 October 2016.
- ^Andhra Pradesh Holds Maiden Budget Session in New Capital Amaravati
- ^Ravikumar, Aruna (13 August 2016). 'A river of talent'. The Hans India. Retrieved 1 May 2017.
- ^'After 2,200 years, Amaravati gets back its legislation power – Times of India'. The Times of India. Retrieved 1 May 2017.
- ^'The Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014'(PDF). AP Reorganisation Portal. New Delhi: The Gazette of India Extraordinary. 1 March 2014. Retrieved 9 February 2015.
- ^'Andhra CM scales down Amaravati foundation fete'.
- ^Sarma, Ch R. S. 'Amaravati will be developed as the happiest city in the world: Andhra CM'. @businessline.
- ^'Civil works of administrative city to start by november 1: CM – Times of India'. The Times of India.
- ^Sukumar, C. R. (22 August 2018). 'Andhra's bonds for Amaravati oversubscribed by 1.5 times' – via The Economic Times.
- ^'Amaravati development needs $2–4 billion investment: Chandrababu Naidu'. 27 August 2018 – via The Economic Times.
- ^Sharma, Shantanu Nandan (21 May 2017). 'How Andhra Pradesh plans to make its new capital Amaravati a world-class city' – via The Economic Times.
- ^U Sudhakar Reddy (31 October 2014). 'Andhra Pradesh capital to come up on riverfront in Guntur district'. Deccan Chronicle. Hyderabad. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
- ^'ADCL :: Amaravati Development Corporation Ltd'. ccdmc.co.in. Retrieved 6 August 2017.
- ^'New Andhra capital Amaravati to compete for Smart City tag'. The New Indian Express. 25 May 2016. Retrieved 6 June 2016.
- ^'CM inaugurates AP's interim secretariat'. The Hindu. 26 April 2016. ISSN0971-751X. Retrieved 14 May 2016.
- ^'AP Capital Region Development Authority comes into being'. The Hindu. Hyderabad. 31 December 2014. Retrieved 6 January 2015.
- ^'How Andhra Pradesh plans to make its new capital Amaravati a world-class city'.
- ^'A.P. Capital Region'(PDF). APCRDA. Government of Andhra Pradesh. p. 15. Retrieved 1 September 2016.
- ^'Economic Development Board Andhra Pradesh – Amaravati – The People's Capital'. apedb.gov.in. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
- ^'Census 2011'. The Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India. Retrieved 25 July 2014.
- ^':::- WELCOME TO GUNTUR DISTRICT OFFICIAL WEBSITE -:'. Archived from the original on 24 September 2017. Retrieved 8 July 2018.
- ^'Archaeological Museum, Amaravati – Archaeological Survey of India'.
- ^'Buddha – Amaravati'.
- ^G Naga Sridhar (13 May 2017). 'Amaravati masterplan: AP to ink MoU with Singapore govt today | Business Line'. Thehindubusinessline.com. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
- ^'Amaravati: How Andhra Pradesh plans to make its new capital Amaravati a world-class city – The Economic Times'. Economictimes.indiatimes.com. 21 May 2017. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
- ^'Reliance Group: Reliance Group to set up 3 sports arenas in Amaravati | Amaravati News – Times of India'. Timesofindia.indiatimes.com. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
- ^'NRDC keen on opening shop in Amaravati – ANDHRA PRADESH'. The Hindu. 20 June 2017. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
- ^'apit-gov-information-technology-communications-department-government-of-ap'. apit.ap.gov.in. Retrieved 16 August 2017.
- ^Gagan. 'Southeast Asia's One of The Largest Data Centre Is Now in Andhra Pradesh'. www.communicationstoday.co.in. Retrieved 16 August 2017.
- ^'HCL to set up IT centres in Amaravati, Vijayawada'. The New Indian Express. Retrieved 3 April 2017.
- ^'HCL to set up IT centres in Amaravati, Vijayawada'. -Avenue Realty. 31 March 2017. Retrieved 3 April 2017.
- ^'CM lays foundation stone for $1.8-bn BRS Medicity – Times of India'. The Times of India. Retrieved 16 August 2017.
- ^'BRS Medicity Amaravati'(PDF). Retrieved 16 August 2017.
- ^'Geographical Indication'. The Hans India. 23 January 2016. Retrieved 15 May 2017.
- ^'Mangalagiri Cotton Saree | Textiles Committee (Ministry of Textiles, Government of India)'. www.textilescommittee.gov.in. Retrieved 24 February 2017.
- ^'SRM University, AP – Amaravati'. SRM University, AP – Amaravati. Retrieved 16 August 2017.
- ^'Home | VIT-AP University'. www.vit.ac.in. Retrieved 16 August 2017.
- ^'Amity, SRM, VIT get nod to set up campuses in Andhra Pradesh | Press Room'. mysrm.srmuniv.ac.in. Retrieved 27 February 2017.
- ^'Amity University to set up campus in Amaravati | AP State Portal'. www.ap.gov.in. Retrieved 27 February 2017.
- ^'Amrita University to Set Up Medical University at Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh | Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham (Amrita University)'. www.amrita.edu. Retrieved 27 February 2017.
- ^'IN THE PRESS | IUIH'. www.iuih.co.uk. Retrieved 27 February 2017.
- ^'Stone laid for Amaravati's first management institute'. The New Indian Express. Retrieved 20 January 2019.
- ^'Work at new Secretariat from June 27'. The Hans India. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
- ^'Facelift to Guntur bus stand'(PDF). p. 2. Retrieved 12 May 2017.
- ^'APSRTC cuts losses by Rs. 116 crore'.
- ^'Thullur- Vijayawada waterway a welcome convenience'. The Hans India. Retrieved 2 June 2017.
- ^'In a big infra boost, Centre to fund Rs 29,000 crore Andhra expressway – Times of India'. The Times of India. Retrieved 2 June 2017.
- ^'List of National Highways passing through A.P. State'. Roads and Buildings Department. Government of Andhra Pradesh. Retrieved 11 February 2016.
- ^'AP CM to take part in Iftar party'. The Hans India. 22 June 2016. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
- ^'Four-lane road to Andhra Pradesh new capital soon'. The Hindu. Guntur. 6 August 2015. Retrieved 4 June 2016.
- ^'DPR being prepared for high-speed train to Amaravati'. Retrieved 15 May 2017.
- ^Reporter, Staff. 'Circular rail line for Amaravati approved'. The Hindu. Retrieved 11 January 2017.
- ^'ACA's Mangalagiri stadium to be ready by 2018'. The Hindu. Retrieved 19 August 2017.
- ^Bureau, Our (12 July 2013). 'IVRCL bags orders worth Rs 1,098 crore'. The Hindu Business Line. Retrieved 19 August 2017.
External links[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Amaravati (state capital). |
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Amaravati. |
- The master plan of the proposed capital region, including a map
Retrieved from 'https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Amaravati&oldid=915164236'
Agency overview | |
---|---|
Formed | 2014 |
Preceding agency | |
Type | Urban Planning Agency |
Jurisdiction | Government of Andhra Pradesh |
Headquarters | Vijayawada 16°30′30″N80°38′30″E / 16.50833°N 80.64167°E |
Minister responsible | |
Agency executive | |
Website | APCRDA |
The Andhra Pradesh Capital Region Development Authority (abbreviated as APCRDA[1]) is an urban planning agency of the capital, Amaravati. It was notified on 30 December 2014 by the Government of Andhra Pradesh as per Andhra Pradesh Capital Region Development Authority Act, 2014, it replaced the Vijayawada Guntur Tenali Mangalagiri Urban Development Authority.[2][3]
Administration[edit]
The APCRDA was formerly known as VGTM Urban Development Authority (VGTM UDA), which was formed in 1978 with an area of 1,954 km2 (754 sq mi)[4]. In 2012, it was expanded to 7,063 km2 (2,727 sq mi).[5] Post bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh, it was defunct and was renamed as APCRDA.[6] The head office of the authority is located at Lenin centre in Vijayawada.[7] It also has three sub-registrar offices at Thullur, Ananthavaram and Mandadam.[8] The present commissioner of the authority is P. Lakshmi Narasimham.[9] The authority has a jurisdictional area of 8,352.69 km2 (3,224.99 sq mi),[10] covering the districts of Guntur and Krishna,[11] including 217 km2 (84 sq mi) of the state capital, Amaravati.[12]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^'2018 a year of many firsts for Andhra Pradesh Capital Region Development Authority'. The New Indian Express. Vijayawada. 30 December 2018. Retrieved 10 June 2019.
- ^'Capital Region Development Authority comes into being'. The Hindu. 30 December 2014. Retrieved 6 January 2015.
- ^'3-decade-old VGTMUDA to be dissolved'. The Hans India. 20 November 2014. Retrieved 6 January 2015.
- ^'Welcome to VGTM UDA'. VGTM Urban Development Authority. Archived from the original on 16 May 2014. Retrieved 14 January 2019.
- ^Sandeep Kumar, S. (27 September 2014). 'VGTM master plan hits roadblock'. The Hindu. Vijayawada. Retrieved 14 January 2019.
- ^Subba Rao, GVR (23 September 2015). 'Capital region expands as CRDA redraws boundaries'. The Hindu. Vijayawada. Retrieved 23 September 2015.
- ^'APCRDA to conduct awareness sessions on HappyNest booking'. The New Indian Express. Vijayawada. 6 December 2018. Retrieved 10 June 2019.
- ^'Offices Address'. crda.ap.gov.in. Retrieved 14 January 2019.
- ^'Andhra Pradesh Capital Region Development Authority commissioner assumes charge'. The New Indian Express. 7 June 2019. Retrieved 10 June 2019.
- ^'Declaration of A.P. Capital Region – Amendment'(PDF). Andhra Pradesh Capital Region Development Authority. Municipal Administration and Urban Development Department, Andhra Pradesh. 22 September 2015. p. 8. Archived(PDF) from the original on 14 May 2019. Retrieved 17 May 2019.Cite uses deprecated parameter
|deadurl=
(help) - ^Subba Rao, GVR (23 September 2015). 'Capital region expands as CRDA redraws boundaries'. The Hindu. Vijayawada. Retrieved 23 September 2015.
- ^'Declaration of A.P. Capital City Area'(PDF). Andhra Pradesh Capital Region Development Authority. Municipal Administration and Urban Development Department, Andhra Pradesh. 9 June 2015. p. 3. Retrieved 10 June 2019.
External links[edit]
Retrieved from 'https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Andhra_Pradesh_Capital_Region_Development_Authority&oldid=903406709'