Naidu Directs Officials to Set Up Modern Cultural Centre in Amaravati

Vijayawada:Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Monday directed officials to establish a modern cultural centre in capital Amaravati.

Naidu underlined the need for a landmark institution that reflects the state’s rich culture and traditions while serving as a permanent venue for major government and public events.

Chairing the 56th meeting of the Capital Region Development Authority at the secretariat, the CM asked officials to identify suitable land for a modern cultural centre that would reflect the state’s rich heritage and serve as a permanent venue for major government and public events.

He also called for deliberations on an appropriate name and insisted that the facility meet international standards.

Reviewing capital city projects, Naidu issued clear instructions to complete the Amaravati Quantum Computing Centre within the stipulated timeline, stressing that world-class infrastructure must be delivered on a war footing.

He reiterated that layouts developed for land-pooling farmers must have top-quality amenities, and directed officials to resolve farmers’ grievances without delay.

Emphasising sustainable urban development, the CM called for the development of forest areas within the capital region, saying forests, river stretches and hillocks enhanced Amaravati’s natural appeal. He suggested large-scale plantation of flowering plants, creation of tourist-friendly parks and fast-paced construction of international-standard hotels.

Urban development minister Ponguru Narayana said the authority approved major financial allocations to speed up the Amaravati works. A main decision was the sanction of `103.96 crore for constructing two buildings for the Quantum Computing Centre in Quantum Valley.

With advanced equipment expected shortly, the work on the buildings—totalling about 43,000 sq ft—would start immediately. Tenders have been called, the L1 bidder finalised and construction would begin under the APCRDA.

The authority also sanctioned Rs 109 crore for interior works of residential buildings for the all India services officers. Of the Rs 7,500 crore sanctioned by NABARD, `1,502 crore has been released so far, including Rs100 crore towards administrative expenditure of the APCRDA and the Amaravati development corporation.

Another major decision was the allocation of 23.127 acres at Sakhamuru village for a university under the AYUSH ministry, which would be leased for 60 years at a nominal rent or one rupee, with an expected investment of over `750 crore.

To protect Amaravati from floods, the authority approved Rs 443.76 crore additional works based on designs prepared with Dutch expertise. These include strengthening the Kondaveeti Vagu and Palavagu, building gravity canals and six reservoirs, and diverting 22,500 cusecs of floodwater, along with a pumping station of 8,400 cusecs capacity.

The meeting also sanctioned Rs 1,358 crore for LPS Zone-8 layouts and decided to form a state-level committee to re-examine Jareebu and non-Jareebu land classifications using satellite imagery dated Dec 8, 2014.