Building Andhra Pradesh capital: Amaravati land pooling now crosses Krishna river

The state government wants at least 10,000 acres on the north side of the Krishna river. So far, the state has pooled 33,000 acres from 29 villages to the south of the river. The government wants the extra land for tourism development, it is said.

Municipal minister Dr P. Narayana said land pooling on the north side of the river was not a new proposal. “Since the begining we have been saying that the capital city and its related projects would be developed on either side of the river Krishna,” he said and added that the Singapore master plan will have a development plan for tourism projects.

Asked to name the villages where land would be pooled, he replied: “We are looking for 10,000 acres on the 25-km stretch of the river. If we disclose the names of the villages where land pooling would be done, it will have an adverse impact on land prices on the southern side of the river,” he said but did not disclose the names of villages.

Land pooling in the additional villages will start after 15 days. A survey is being taken up to mark the maximum flood flow level of the river, the buffer zone and government and private properties. This will will be completed in a fortnight, after which the pooling exercise will commence.

The CRDA will remain as the regulatory body and the new company will will oversee the construction and development of Amaravati.

The AP Cabinet took the decision to set up the company at its meeting here on Wednesday. “The powers, functions, rules and regulations, guidelines and modalities of the company will be approved in the next Cabinet meeting,” municipal minister P. Narayana said.

“Though it is a company, it will work under the state government. It will also finalise the master developer for construction and development of projects in the capital,” Dr Narayana said.

The Cabinet has decided to adopt Swiss Challenge for execution of Amaravati projects. Under this method, the best agency having experience in building capital cities will be hired to prepare a project report with world class facilities.

This report would form the basis for inviting, or challenging, private or government companies to come up with a better plan at even lesser cost, he said.