HYDERABAD: Even as Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu remained tight-lipped on the exact location of the new state capital proposed near Vijayawada, his deputy K E Krishna Murthy on Wednesday let the cat out of the bag.
Murthy, during an interaction with the media to mark the government’s 100 days in office, dropped enough hints that the new capital would come up at Gannavaram, Kanchikacherla, Gottumukkala and Ibrahimpatnam near Vijayawada city.
It is learnt that some big shots in the TDP, including businessmen-turned-politicians, have recently bought vast tracts of land at all four places indicating the way the wind is blowing.
Sources told Express that Naidu is planning to have the administrative blocks at these four places. As reported earlier, Naidu also wants to spread the new capital city on either side of the Krishna by linking Kanchikacherla in Krishna district with Amaravathi in Guntur district by constructing bridges across the river.
Asked about the exact location of the new capital, Murthy said, “Land prices have not gone up near Guntur city, whereas land rates near Vijayawada, particularly at Gannavaram, Kanchikacherla, Gottumukkala and Ibrahimpatnam, have skyrocketed after the state government’s announcement that the new capital would be located near Vijayawada.
“The hike in land rates at these places clearly shows where the new capital is coming up.” The veteran politician, who had earlier openly disapproved of the government’s plan to designate Vijayawada even as temporary capital, disclosed that only 3,000 acres of government land is available near Vijayawada.
Strengthening the argument that Murthy is not happy over the way the state cabinet had ignored Rayalaseema leaders’ demand to locate the new capital in their region, the Deputy Chief Minister did not show interest on the issue of the capital during the press conference.
Naidu Govt to Hike Land Value
Deputy Chief Minister K E Krishna Murthy disclosed that the state government was planning to increase the market value of lands in and around Vijayawada soon. “A panel, already set up by the revenue department, is examining this issue. It will submit a report to the government over the issue of enhancing market value of lands at Vijayawada. Once, the panel submits its recommendations, we will take a decision,” he said. He reiterated that 32,872 acres of government land is available within the 10 km radius of the district headquarters across the state.