The Capital Region Development Authority (CRDA), chaired by Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, has approved additional projects worth Rs 8,821.44 crore for the development of Amaravati, bringing the total approval for capital development projects to Rs 20,292.46 crore. The new approvals focus on the construction of trunk roads, layout roads, and further infrastructure development to support the city’s growth.
In the 42nd CRDA meeting, the Authority sanctioned Rs 3,807 crore for roads in land pooling layouts, Rs 4,521 crore for trunk roads, and Rs 492 crore for constructing bungalows for judges and ministers. This follows the Rs 11,471 crore approved in the 41st CRDA meeting.
Minister P Narayana highlighted that 236 kilometres of layout roads, in villages such as Nellapadu, Rayapudi, Ananthavaram, and Dondapadu, have been approved. Additionally, 97.5 kilometres of trunk roads are part of the 360-kilometre network planned for Amaravati.
During a media briefing, Minister Narayana criticised the previous YSRCP government for increasing the state’s financial burden. He stated that had Amaravati’s construction continued as planned, there would have been no losses. Despite the delays caused by the previous government, he assured that Chief Minister Naidu has charted a clear path to complete the capital’s construction within three years.
Narayana further noted that the delay in construction had led to a significant rise in costs, with road construction rates increasing by 25-28% and building costs rising by 35-55%. Other factors, such as the increase in gravel prices by 6%, a 29% rise in the Schedule of Rates (SOR), and a 6% hike in GST rates, contributed to an overall 45% increase in costs.
The Minister also assured that more approvals would be granted in the upcoming CRDA meeting on December 16, with tenders for the projects expected to be called by December 15. He expressed confidence that the tendering process would be nearly completed by the end of the month.
Regarding the involvement of Singapore-based companies in Amaravati’s development, Narayana mentioned that the previous government had filed cases against these companies. However, the current government is working to bring them back to continue the capital’s development, in line with the decision made by Chief Minister Naidu.
________________
