Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu announced that Amaravati will be the name of the new capital city of Andhra Pradesh. The CM has told the reporters after a cabinet meeting that the unanimous decision has been made. The new capital is being built in Vijayawada-Guntur region and Amaravati, the ancient town on the banks of the Krishna river, is part of the region. Amaravati was a prosperous and historically important city of the Satavahana Dynasty in second century AD.

The Master plan for the Capital City is being planned by experts from Singapore. The Japanese companies are agreed to associate in construction, environment and other needs of the capital city. The construction of the new capital will begin in June. Till the completion of the project, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana share Hyderabad as a joint capital for 10 years.

Tidbits

1. Amaravati is home to 2000-years-old Buddhist relics including the Aaravati Mahachaitya (The Great Stupa).
2. The Andhra Pradesh government estimates they need at least Rupees 20,000 crores to build the new capital. The Central Government has so far sanctioned only Rs. 1500 crore.
3. The government plans to build the capital on 30,000 acres.
4. Secretariat, Raj Bhawan, legislative assembly and high court to be a part of core capital.
5. National Waterway 4 has been proposed.