Demand to carve out Hindupur district gains momentum

Anantapur: In the context of likelihood of Hindupur emerging as district head-quarter for the proposed district to be carved out of Anantapur district, there are demands from other parts that Penukonda, the second historical capital of the once powerful Vijayanagar empire of Sri Krishna Devaraya, should be considered as its new district head quarter.

Besides, there has also been a long-time demand for making Puttaparthi as the head- quarters of the proposed second district. Already new district capital sadhana samithi's have emerged in Penukonda and Puttaparthi represented by cross section of people.

Those advocating Penukonda as the new district head-quarter argue that Penukonda has emerged as an industrial corridor. It was also the ancient second capital of Vijayanagar empire. Kia Motors and its proposed ancillaries have the potential to transform the landscape of the historical town.

However, those demanding that Puttaparthi should be made as the new district head-quarter feel that Puttaparthi is well developed. The town has lot of infrastructure to host administrative buildings and quarters for officers. It has an airport and is also close to Bengaluru international airport. It has also close proximity to Anantapur which is an educational hub.

Hindupur of course has its own advantages as it is very close to Bengaluru international airport. Already the town has buildings to house government offices. Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy is planning to bifurcate every existing district into two districts taking parliamentary constituency as a yard-stick.

Even before the bifurcation of united AP, there had been demands for bifurcation of Anantapur into two districts - Anantapur and Hindupur. Similarly in Rayalaseema Tirupati in Chittoor district, Nandyala in Kurnool district, Rajampeta in Kadapa and Hindupur in Anantapur district are under consideration of the state government to make them as new districts.

Newly elected MP of Hindupuram Lok Sabha constituency Gorantla Madhav said to The Hans India that he welcomed the proposal of Hindupur emerging as another district. Anantapur, the present district head-quarters is very far away from Hindupur. By bifurcating the district, administration can be brought closer to the people and development prospects would be brighter, he said.

Already Hindupur MP constituency has emerged an industrial hub. Hindupur and Penukonda have already emerged as industrial zones. With many more industrial projects in the anvil, Hindupuram district will gain recognition as an industrial district. He said that expert committees would look into the demands for location of district head-quarter on the basis of scientific parameters, the MP added.