CM Naidu urges Centre to notify Amaravati as the capital

The Hindu

23-05-2025

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu met several Union Ministers, including Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, and others in New Delhi on Friday (May 23, 2025).
Addressing a press conference on his interactions with the Union Ministers, Mr. Naidu said that the combined Andhra Pradesh was bifurcated 10 years ago. On the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh, the Central government should notify Amaravati as the capital of Andhra Pradesh under the AP Reorganisation Act, 2014, he said.
'The Bifurcation Act mandates the creation of a new capital for the State. In 2014, the State government declared Amaravati as the capital and began its construction. However, due to the previous government's hasty decisions, the idea of three capitals led to uncertainty about people's future. In this context, I requested an amendment to the law recognising Amaravati as the capital, as per the wishes of the local farmers,' the Chief Minister said..
'From 2019 to 2024, Andhra Pradesh faced severe destruction. It will take 10 years to bring the State back on track from the damage caused by the YSRCP. We promised in the elections that we will rebuild the State once our government comes to power. We are making all efforts accordingly. The previous government left unpaid bills amounting to ₹1.20 lakh crore. This year, the State received a record level of investments,' he said.
Stating that he discussed the Polavaram–Banakacharla Project with Jal Sakthi Minister C.R. Patil and Ms. Sitharaman, Mr. Naidu said that the Polavaram–Banakacharla Project would cost around ₹80,000 crore. It would divert 200 tmcft of water. The project would not cause any inconvenience to other States, as it would divert water that would otherwise flow into the sea.
The Centre was requested to prevail upon the others as Andhra Pradesh was taking up an intra-State project to make use of the 200 tmcft of water which flows into the sea every year. There shouldn't be any problem, as it was not an interstate project. Ms. Sitharaman was requested to do the needful and release funds for taking up the project. Once the Centre approves, the government would begin the project work, he said, adding it would be a game-changer for Andhra Pradesh.
The Godavari Banakacherla project aims at diverting surplus water from the Godavari to water-scarce areas in south-central Andhra Pradesh. It would use lift irrigation and tunnels to connect the regions in three phases. A detailed financing plan had been proposed, building on earlier discussions with the Finance Ministry. The project would benefit millions in drought-hit areas and serve as a model for river-linking across India. The Detailed Project Report (DPR) is expected by June 2025. It will use lift irrigation and tunnels to connect the regions in three phases.
Mr. Naidu also shared copies of the proposal with Mr. Patil, requesting coordination between departments to fast-track the project.
Under the Suryaghar scheme, Andhra Pradesh expressed its desire to provide electricity to 35 lakh households. The State plans to supply solar electricity to 10,000 households in each constituency. 'We requested the Centre to support the implementation of this scheme,' Mr. Naidu said.
He urged the Centre to expedite approvals for the proposal submitted by APDISCOMs to MNRE in January 2025, under which 20 lakh SC/ST households would receive free rooftop solar systems, and BC households will receive a ₹10,000/kWp subsidy for up to 2kWp installations.
The state's Clean Energy Policy 2024–29 targeted an additional 72.6 GW of RE, including 40 GWp solar, and emphasises inclusive access and affordability. The proposed utility-led rooftop model will reduce AP's power purchase costs, empower vulnerable communities, and drive job creation.
The government introduced the AP Integrated Clean Energy Policy, under which the State aims to produce 72 GW of green energy. 'We requested Union Minister Pralhad Joshi to sanction a Green Energy Corridor worth ₹28,346 crore, to which he responded positively,' Mr. Naidu said.
Mr. Naidu expressed confidence that with the Centre's support, Andhra Pradesh could set a national benchmark in inclusive renewable energy adoption.