Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu directed officials on Friday to accelerate the construction of the state's greenfield capital city, Amaravati, emphasising that all works must be completed within the stipulated timelines without compromising on quality. During a detailed review meeting at his camp office with representatives from the Andhra Pradesh Capital Region Development Authority (APCRDA) and construction firms, Naidu assessed the progress of infrastructure projects, including trunk roads, residential quarters for ministers and officials, and flood control measures. He instructed contractors to deploy additional manpower and machinery immediately, acknowledging delays caused by recent monsoon rains but urging them to make up for lost time in the coming weeks. Naidu also announced he would personally monitor the project's advancement every 15 days to ensure accountability.

The directives come as part of Naidu's renewed push to revive Amaravati, a pet project envisioned as a world-class, eco-friendly metropolis spanning 33,000 acres along the Krishna River. Launched in 2014 during his previous term, the initiative faced significant setbacks under the subsequent YSR Congress Party government, which shelved plans in favour of a three-capitals model and returned pooled farmland to farmers in 2019. Following the Telugu Desam Party's return to power in June 2024, Naidu relaunched construction in May 2025 with a three-year completion target, securing central support and international funding, including an $800 million World Bank loan and Singapore's urban planning expertise. Recent milestones include the inauguration of the IGBC-certified Net Zero Energy Municipal Administration Building on October 13, housing APCRDA offices.

Naidu highlighted the need for iconic high-rise structures to give Amaravati a global appeal, alongside an equal focus on greenery, beautification, and cleanliness. He enquired about material supplies, such as gravel from the mines department, and workforce availability, noting that some firms had yet to fully mobilise. Officials reported that 2,471 farmers who contributed land under the land-pooling scheme are awaiting registration of their returnable annuity plots—developed residential or commercial allotments worth over Rs 1 lakh per acre annually—and Naidu assured swift resolution, planning a direct meeting with affected farmers to address grievances.

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The meeting also covered land allotments to 72 institutions, including educational bodies like BITS Pilani, banks, hotels, and IT parks, totalling 948 acres. Naidu reiterated earlier July instructions that these entities must commence construction within committed timelines—typically 2.5 to three years—and warned against delays, promising a single-window clearance system for approvals while inviting him directly for any bottlenecks. This ecosystem is projected to generate thousands of jobs and attract investments in sectors like biotechnology, tourism, and green energy, positioning Amaravati as a knowledge hub with EV corridors and air quality monitoring.

Naidu's urgency reflects broader economic stakes, with Amaravati's revival central to Andhra Pradesh's post-bifurcation development narrative. Critics, including opposition leader Jagan Mohan Reddy, have questioned the project's cost—estimated at Rs 50,000 crore—and environmental impact on wetlands, but Naidu frames it as a legacy of inclusive growth, benefiting the 29,000 farmer families involved. As cranes dot the skyline and tenders for master plan revisions roll out, the capital's transformation could redefine urban India, blending sustainability with ambition—if timelines hold.

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