Building Amaravati, a Herculean task, says AP CM Naidu

​Mangalagiri: Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu described the constructing a capital city as a herculean task while inaugurating the three-day Happy Cities Summit here along with Sadguru Jaggi Vasudev and a host of foreign dignitaries here on Tuesday.

Stating that it was the first of its kind global summit, the Chief Minister appealed to the participants to put forward constructive suggestions to make the Amaravati capital city as one of the happiest cities in the world. “I welcome great many ideas from you and ready to implement them to create one of the happiest cities in the world,” he added.

Referring to the challenges he faced before starting work on the capital city, the farmers, who were also present in the summit, responded positively to his call and gave their 34,000 acres of land which was first of its kind called land pooling. He thanked the farmers for reposing the faith in him. “It is a win-win situation for all,” he remarked.

Chandrababu asserted that Amaravati Greenfield capital would be developed as the most livable and the happiest city in the world. Referring to Tika Ram Kafley, Mayor of Gelephu town in Bhutan, the Chief Minister said that he was happy to learn that Bhutan has 70 per cent of green cover. “The same will repeat in Amaravati too,” he added.

He said solar energy would be tapped and electrical vehicles will be introduced in the city to prevent pollution. He said 3,600 km cycle path and 80 per cent public transport would be developed. 

He said the need of the hour is to develop happy cities besides most livable cities. He said happy Sunday programme was introduced in the state, where people are coming on to roads and enjoying by singing and dancing as it would help as a great stress buster.

Minister for Municipal Administration P Narayana said Greenfield capital city would be the happiest city. “People will be happy when they take part in its governance,” he added.

Khoo Teng Chye, executive director of Centre for Livable Cities, Singapore, said that Singapore wants to share its experiences and learn a lesson or two from here.

Anibal Gaviria, former mayor of Medellin in Colombia, South American continent, stated that his brother was a believer in Gandhian principles and unfortunately, he was killed. “However, we still believe in non-violence, truth expounded by Gandhiji.

Jukka Holappa, commercial counsellor of Finnish Embassy, said that people should not run after happiness. “Happiness would come through education and hard work,” he added.

CRDA commissioner Ch Sreedhar gave a presentation on development of Amaravati capital as most livable and happy capital in the world.

Later, the Indian Green Building Council presented Green field capital award to Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu. Sadguru Jaggi Vasudev along with the Chief Minister released Amaravati happy city master plan.

Head of urban prosperity fund for India UK Samuel Adamson, JSRK Prasad, immediate past chairman of CII Andhra Pradesh and others addressed the inaugural session.