The Singapore and Andhra Pradesh Governments unveiled the master plan for the state’s new capital city, Amravathi here on Monday.
S. Iswaran, Minister, Prime Minister’s Office and Second Minister for Trade and Industry and his team was in Hyderabad for the handing over of the master plan to Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu.
The master plan will guide the development of Amravathi up to 2050, said S. Iswaran. “Singapore has worked closely with the Andhra Pradesh government to complete the master plan on schedule. I am happy that Singapore has contributed to Andhra Pradesh’s vision to create a vibrant and liveable city for its people. Amravati will truly be a People’s Capital,” he said.
The capital city will rise on the banks of the Krishna River, between the existing cities of Vijayawada and Guntur. Named after an ancient Buddhist city, Amravati will be the seat of the Andhra Pradesh government. It will also be a city where Andhra citizens and people from all over the world can live, work and play.
The five key features of the Amaravathi Master Plan are: i) growing a vibrant economy; ii) creating a liveable Indian city; iii) enhancing connectivity and active mobility; iv) ensuring sustainability; and v) the People’s Capital.
The delivery of the Amaravathi Master plan marks the second milestone in the three-stage plan of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between International Enterprise Singapore and the Infrastructure Corporation of Andhra Pradesh. The first stage, the Capital Region Plan, was completed and handed over to the Andhra Pradesh government on 30 March 2015.
Today, the Singapore Cooperation Enterprise (SCE) and the Swachh Andhra Corporation (SAC) also signed an agreement to jointly develop a framework for an integrated solid waste management master plan for Andhra Pradesh.
As part of the project, the SCE will work with Singapore’s Centre of Liveable Cities to deliver the framework and organise two advisory workshops in consultation with key officials from the Municipal Administration & Urban Development Department and Commissioners of selected Urban Local Bodies in Andhra Pradesh. The project is expected to be completed in three months.
The Amravathi Master Plan includes the following features:
Growing a vibrant economy: Besides being the seat of power, Amravathi will be a commercial hub for existing regional industries such as agri-businesses and logistics, and catalyse new ones such as Information Technology Enabled Services (ITES) and pharmaceuticals. The plan has designated a Central Business District, commercial zones in town centres, as well as industrial parks. In addition, it supports job creation in residential neighbourhoods so that people can work near their homes.
Creating a liveable Indian city: To ensure a quality living environment, the plan has laid out infrastructure for delivering reliable supplies of electricity and, water while managing solid waste and sewerage, thereby ensuring a quality living environment.
Enhancing connectivity and active mobility: The Amravati region has good road and rail links to all parts of the state. The master plan will enhance the connectivity of the capital with a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system that can eventually be upgraded to Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system. While designed with an efficient road network, the Amravati master plan will also promote the use of public transport and minimise the need for long commutes. Amravati residents will also have non-motorised transport choices using an extensive network of walkways, cycle tracks and local waterways. This approach promotes active mobility within the city while protecting its environment through reductions in carbon emissions and other pollutants.
Ensuring sustainability: Recognising the unique value of Amaravathi’s location beside the Krishna River, the master plan preserves much of the existing greenery and waterways, while introducing new parks, gardens and recreational facilities such as a cricket stadium. Amaravathi will possess a distinctive river front with lush open spaces for its citizens to enjoy. Innovative approaches are envisaged to turn the reservoirs, storm water detention ponds and canals into locales for public enjoyment even as they perform the critical functions of storing water and controlling flooding.
The People’s Capital: Amravathi will be built on land pooled from the contributions of the villagers in the region. In return they will receive plots of commercial and residential land in the city and share in the fruits of development for years to come.
Consistent with Andhra Pradesh’s leaders’ vision of a People’s Capital, the master plan also provides for affordable housing, easy access to amenities such as schools, healthcare services, markets, and shopping malls, libraries and a university.
The master plan respects the sense of local identity and enhances appreciation for local heritage. It protects the existing religious and heritage sites and connects them to the network of MRT / BRT and roads to form tourism circuits.