Amaravati to become Andhra Pradesh’s New Capital

The Andhra Pradesh Cabinet has approved the name of Amaravati as its new capital city. The ancient town of  Amaravati is situated between the two main cities of Vijayawada and Guntur in central part of the state and more importantly on the banks of the river Krishna.

Amaravati carries a great deal of historical significance. It was home to the Satavahana dynasty 2,000 years ago. It is famous for Buddhist sites including a stupa built during Emperor Ashoka’s time. It is also believed that Lord Buddha visited the place. Besides, King Ashoka and renowned Chinese traveller Hsuan Tsang also believed to have visited the region.

Briefing media over the cabinet decisions in Hyderabad last evening, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu said the state cabinet also approved the first phase of the capital building plan prepared by Singapore Government.

The new capital, Amaravathi will have 210 kilo meters ring road, satellite townships, five- bridges across the River Krishna, radial roads connecting nearby towns and logistic hub at nearby Machilipatnam town.

The Chief Minister said the city will have facilities to accommodate five crore population by the year 2050. Meanwhile, the state government estimates around Rs. 20,000 crores to build the new capital.

Last year, the region of Telangana was carved out from Andhra Pradesh as India’s 29th state. Both the neighbouring states share Hyderabad as their capital as of now.