Vijayawada/Rajahmundry: The members of the Sivaramakrishnan Committee, which was formed by the Union home ministry to recommend a suitable capital for the residuary state of Andhra Pradesh, said that they would consider all options, including political and administrative feasibilities.
Committee members Dr Ritin Roy, Armor Revi, Jagan Shah and K.T. Ravindran visited Vijayawada and Rajahmundry on Sunday and interacted with the district administration and the public.
Dr Roy said the residuary Andhra had more options than other states for selecting a suitable place for a new capital. For this the committee will visit different cities of the state. The committee would submit its report by August 31 and he hoped that the government would take it into consideration while deciding on the new capital.
The Committee members interacted with Krishna district collector M. Raghunanthan Rao, sub-collector Hari Chandana, police commissioner Srinivasulu and other officials.
Dr Roy made it clear that the committee was in the region to study the existing facilities and not to favour any area.
In Rajahmundry, the committee members discussed various issues relating to availability of facilities with district collector, Neetu Prasad, urban SP, Ravi Kumar Murty and municipal commissioner Ravindra Babu. The local authorities appraised the committee regarding availability of land, water facility, drainage and road, rail and air connectivity, besides the law and order situation.
Mr Prasad said that an extent of 2,000 acres of forest land was available in the vicinity of Rajahmundry besides 24,000 acres of government and forest land. Meanwhile SP Mr Murty explained in detail about the law and order situation, which he said was by and large very peaceful. Local leaders met the committee members.
Meanwhile, Rayalaseema Hakkula Sadhana Samiti founder and former minister T.G. Venkatesh of Telugu Desam wants Kurnool to be made the capital of the residuary sate of Andhra Pradesh.
He says no survey and review over alternative proposals are required. Mr Venkatesh said the Centre had not considered the history of the state prior to 1956. Mr Venkatesh pointed out that Kurnool was the capital at the time when the united state was formed.
