CM Chandrababu Naidu Sets Vision for Amaravati as AI Hub, Orders Revival of Key Projects

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has urged the Municipal Administration and Urban Development Minister P. Narayana and the Andhra Pradesh Capital Region Development Authority (APCRDA) to devise an action plan to develop Amaravati into a City of Artificial Intelligence. During a review meeting with the MAUD Minister and CRDA officials on Thursday, Naidu emphasized the need for every aspect of the capital city to embody modern technology and accessibility. He proposed designing a logo featuring the letters "Ai" to symbolize Amaravati’s futuristic outlook, paying homage to its history as the capital of the gods.

Naidu criticized the previous administration under Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, accusing it of neglecting and intentionally sabotaging Amaravati’s development. He stressed the urgency of resuming the capital city’s construction works and ensuring swift progress.

During the meeting, Naidu reviewed the construction of various government office buildings in the capital, noting the lack of progress under the previous government. He instructed officials to complete the G+7 building for the CRDA office within 90 days, emphasizing the importance of maintaining high-quality standards and incorporating the latest technology.

The Chief Minister also addressed the stalled Happy Nest project, which was initially launched to provide housing in the capital area. Naidu recalled that plots in the Happy Nest project sold out within an hour during the TDP regime. However, due to the previous government’s neglect, many buyers withdrew. Naidu directed officials to take immediate steps to revive the project, which has seen its estimated cost rise from Rs 714 crore to Rs 930 crore. The government has decided to absorb the excess cost to alleviate the burden on buyers. The project will feature 12 towers with 1,200 units (G+18) spread over 14.46 acres.

Naidu also discussed land acquisition in the capital area, noting that 3,558 acres still need to be acquired. He reported that farmers are willing to voluntarily contribute their lands, and he urged officials to prioritize resolving any hurdles related to allotting developed plots to them. Naidu was informed that 60% of the forest clearance work has been completed, and he suggested using drones for better assessment and supervision.

In addition, the Chief Minister directed officials to expedite the metro rail projects in Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada. AP Metro Rail Project Managing Director Ramakrishna Reddy briefed Naidu on the progress, stating that the Visakhapatnam Metro Rail project will be completed in two phases: the first phase covering 46 km at a cost of Rs 11,400 crore, and the second phase covering 30 km with an expenditure of Rs 5,734 crore. Naidu stressed the importance of completing the first phase in Visakhapatnam within the next four years and accelerating the 38 km Vijayawada metro rail project, which has an outlay of Rs 11,000 crore.

MAUD Minister Narayana later elaborated on the review meeting, stating that once completed, the G+7 building will house the CRDA, ADC, and MAUDA offices. He also highlighted the financial challenges inherited from the previous government, including unpaid annuities. The Chief Minister has decided to clear the pending Rs 175 crore annuity by September 15 and address the current fiscal’s Rs 225 crore annuity soon after.

Naidu announced that once expert reports from IIT Madras and IIT Hyderabad on the stability of the capital city's structures are submitted, all pending issues will be resolved, tenders will be issued, and construction work will commence on January 1. The master plan envisions a mega city encompassing Amaravati, Vijayawada, Guntur, and Mangalagiri over the next three decades.