HYDERABAD: Andhra Pradesh government has made up its mind to christen the new capital city, proposed to be built near Tullur in between Vijayawada and Guntur cities, Amaravathi.
“Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has decided to name the new capital after the ancient capital of Telugus with the same name. The government will issue orders to that effect very shortly,” a minister, who is considered as the right-hand man of Naidu, told reporters at Assembly lobbies here on Monday.
Though the actual Amaravathi town is situated 30 km away from the planned new capital, Naidu is said to be keen on that name in order to keep the cultural heritage of Telugus fresh in the minds of people.
The original Amaravathi town had served as the imperial capital for the Satavahanas, who had ruled much of India from 2nd century BC to 3rd century AD. The Satavahana rulers contributed to Buddhist art and architecture. They built great stupas in the Krishna River Valley, including the stupa at Amaravathi.
Now, Naidu reportedly decided to name the new capital Amaravathi to bring back the ancient identity to this heritage site, rejecting some of his party leaders’ pleas for naming the new capital after TDP founder and Telugu legendary film star NT Rama Rao.