Hyderabad: Andhra Pradesh government is making grand arrangements for the foundation laying ceremony of the new capital Amaravati by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 22. Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu plans to build Amaravati as a people's capital and a city of the future. But with continuing protest from the opposition parties and farmer groups, building a dream capital is faced with many hurdles.
Smart, green and sustainable. Known as a man of vision, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu aspires to build Amaravati, the new capital of Andhra Pradesh as world's best capital. Calling Amaravati as a people's capital, government plans maximum involvement of the people in building it. Starting a unique initiative, smart capital Amaravati will be built e-brick by e-brick. Chandrababu Naidu has launched a website where people across the globe can donate money for building Amaravati by buying bricks at cost of Rs 10 each.
Within few days, about 20 lakh bricks have been bought by people. The government estimates that it needs at least Rs 20,000 crore to build the new capital and this initiative "My Brick My Amaravati" will help the cash strapped state. Not only this, soil and water from each village of the 13 districts will be included in the foundation ceremony, which would later be used in iconic or heritage buildings in the capital.
Talking about the programme Palle Raghunath, Information and Public Relations Minister said, “Soil and water from 34,000 villages coming to Amaravati. People will get a sentiment that they were part of capital building."
However, the capital construction plans of the state government are yet to clear the green hurdle. The National Green Tribunal has ordered a stay on construction activity in Amaravati, till environmental clearances. The NGT has even directed the state government not to bulldoze agricultural fields or conduct any levelling of the land. Land around Krishna basin area is most fertile and petition says that converting agricultural fields into city of concrete jungles will lead to environmental hazards.
P. Srimannarayana, Petitioner in the case said, “Even after NGT order, government continued with construction work. I have submitted pictures and other proof. The court has also taken strict note of it and sent notices collector".
Even the opposition parties are criticizing the state government for taking away agricultural lands from the farmers. Over 20 thousand farmers have given their 33,000 acres of land for the construction of the capital city. Main opposition leader and YSRC president YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has decided to boycott the foundation ceremony in Amaravati, alleging the Chief Minister of having business interests in disguise of constructing a world-class capital.
Defending his decision Jagan Mohan Reddy said “It is a big scam to take away multi crop lands from farmers and give them to private Singapore companies"
There are many farmers in the region also protesting against the government's move to take away their multi-crop lands. Andhra Pradesh government say they plan to built Amaravati as a blue-green capital city on the banks of Krishna river complying with all guidelines meant for environmental protection. But with continuing protests from various groups, it does not seem to be a smooth road for Chandrababu Naidu's dream project.
The Andhra Pradesh government claims they have all the environmental clearances for Amaravati. But the petitioner now plans to file a contempt against the government for not honouring National Green Tribunal's order to halt all works. Without any doubt, the master plan of Amaravati looks promising and it can place the city on world map. But the big question is at what cost? With protests, can Amaravati turn out to be people's capital ? These are some of the unanswered questions.
Comments
0 comment