Amaravati - Quest for a Capital 'City'

The foundation of the capital city for the state of Andhra Pradesh (AP) has been laid in the presence of many dignitaries. Planners would find it difficult to recall the last time an event was conducted with such fanfare. Few months ago, in a list of the most polluted cities on earth, 13 out of 20 were found in India. The report should be taken as an eye opener for upgrading the ‘live-ability’ of our cities and should serve as an important take away for the new capital ‘envisioned’.

Two concerns

Though the reasons given for the current state of our cities are many, they fundamentally lack an important quotient – planning. Cities in India have always proliferated without a specified direction resulting in so many problems which we encounter today. Amaravati is both a blessing and a curse.

Amaravati is a missed opportunity since Andhra Pradesh has not declared any of its existing towns or cities as its capital. This would have provided Andhra Pradesh with a possibility of diversification of functions which half of the Indian states lack. Tamilnadu is a credible example which has urban problems where the population which is served by Chennai is unmatchable when compared to the next cities Madurai or Coimbatore. The primary reason is because Chennai carries many functions. Administration is handled, the automobile industry is housed, IT sector is served, the ports carry out trade and finally the cine industry is present. With so many functions concentrated on a single city immigration becomes natural which the city is unable to handle. It should be made sure that the capital city does not take too many functions to prevent it from becoming another ‘city’ in India.

 Locating the city along the lower courses of the river Krishna, which is one of the fertile lands of the State was a greater risk taken by the administrative authorities. As the formal procedure for land acquisition begins, it is inevitable that many farmers will lose their livelihoods. Though the city might not face water problems it wouldn’t be too long before the river is polluted by the city.

(During the foundation ceremony -photo from ‘The Business Line’)

A golden opportunity

Nevertheless, Amaravati provides us a unique opportunity for a concrete effort in creating a 21^st century capital city in India. The city is a Greenfield capital, meaning which it is built in an area where there aren’t many existing structures. By learning from our past mistakes the city could become an enviable model to replicate in India.

Firstly, the foundation for a green belt, a dedicated corridor of trees for a few kilometers around the city must be laid along with the capital. This will prevent urban sprawl and limits the city to a specific area. To prevent encroachments in future, this has to be supported with strong legislations.

Secondly, steps must be taken to ensure that the city escapes a perennial problem of solid waste management and sewage treatment. Though waste collection might seem to be a problem of governance of the ruler of the city, it cannot operate without a prerequisite infrastructure. It is recommended that sewage disposal plants with a projected surplus capacity and plants for solid waste disposal and recycling are constructed at the outskirts of the city. Solid waste management cannot be successful without the active participation of the residents of the city. Hence, separate waste collection should be made mandatory at the fundamental unit – the home.

Thirdly, focus should be laid on sustainable infrastructure. Sustainability can be ensured in many forms. Initiatives should be taken to enforce rain water harvesting. Infrastructure should enable the separation of storm or rain water and sewage water drainage. The buildings should have the current technological amenities so that they remain relevant even after two decades. This would reduce recurrent reconstruction. Incentives could be given for generation of solar power in buildings in line with the national solar mission.

Fourthly, the city should have dedicated transport corridors. This would prevent traffic congestion in the long term.

Hurdles on the way

Any Greenfield plan suffers from the ‘real estate’ syndrome. Several months ago, when it was announced that the Vijayawada-Guntur area could be a possible location for the capital, land prices rocketed. The city should not fall prey to real estate developers which takes away another characteristic of the city – affordability. Indian cities are not for the common man. Only time can tell if the suggested capital will serve all sections of the people.

Not a one man show

Planners have immense faith in this project because its campaign has been led by the honorable CM of Andhra Pradesh. He is noted for transforming the city of Hyderabad to a modern metropolis and his ability to reproduce the magic is not under question. But it has to be acknowledged that the city has a longer lifespan and will undergo several transformations as time goes on. Whether the honorable CM will be able to control all the aspects throughout its lifetime will be bigger question. Nevertheless, it is hoped that all the hurdles are treated as challenges and converted to opportunities in creating a truly 21^st century capital city for this great nation.