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 21st 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 21st century capital city for this great nation.
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