AP to pitch in Singapore in building capital Amaravati

Amaravati: Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said the Andhra Pradesh government was building capital city Amaravati keeping the rapid urbanisation worldwide in mind as 66 per cent of world population will be urban population, mainly residing in Asia and Africa by 2050.

The Chief Minister said the state was working towards the vision of being one of the best destinations by 2050 though it was still overcoming difficulties.

On his first day tour in Singapore, the Chief Minister participated in the World Cities’ Summit Mayors Forum, which would be attended by 120 mayors and representatives of 165 cities. In Singapore, the Chief Minister’s first meeting was with Singapore’s Minister of National Development Lawrence Wong. Minister Wong said that the Singapore would continue to work with Andhra Pradesh.

Naidu spoke about infrastructure and innovation and the development of Amaravati in association with Singapore in World Cities summit. The Chief Minister said that despite difficulties, Andhra Pradesh was working towards the vision of being one of the best destinations by 2050.

He said that the state government was working with many companies under public-private partnership (PPP) mode for infrastructure development. “The capital region will have nine cities and will be a blue and green city. We are engaging the best companies and world’s top architects in building our infrastructure. I would like to extend the invitation to all of you to cooperate with us to help take forward Amaravati”, he said.

Naidu also said that AP was implementing technology at different avenues for the overall development of the state. “Infrastructure finance needs innovation and more PPP ventures. Singapore can contribute in this, as we are the financial centre in this part of the world. We can catalyse private infrastructure in many countries, and we have the willingness to work with a variety of cities across the world,” he said.

During the meeting with Chandrababu Naidu, Singapore’s Minister of National Development Lawrence Wong said that the Singapore would continue to work with Andhra Pradesh.

Minister Wong said that an upcoming greenfield city provides a golden opportunity for well-planned growth. “We want population in Amaravati, as we have noticed that the progress of building the city is very good,” he added. He said that Singapore was willing to apply the latest technology and ideas in Amaravati, as it was a greenfield city.

Naidu said that as there were already two big cities near Amaravati, the progress of the capital would only increase its pace in the coming months. “I am still grateful to Singapore for completing the masterplan of Amaravati in record time.

About Rs 50,000 crore is required for the building of infrastructure in the capital. Amaravati will not just be an administrative capital, but also an economic hub,” said the Chief Minister. Stating that around 30 million sft was already under construction, Naidu said that tenders worth Rs 30,000 crore have been called.