I investigated India’s failed city of Rs 6,67,000 CRORES | Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh

Summary

Amaravati, a city in Andhra Pradesh, India, was envisioned to be the world's most sustainable city with solar power and water taxis. However, political ego and shifting priorities have left it barren and unfinished. Once a project supported by 24,000 farmers who donated fertile land, it now faces a halted development due to disputes over its status as the state capital. The video explores the city's failed promise and the impact on its stakeholders, questioning the political motivations behind the city's current state.

Takeaways

• 🌿 Amaravati was envisioned to be India's most sustainable city, but it remains largely undeveloped.
• 🏙️ The city's development was supposed to include water taxis and solar power, but these plans have not materialized.
• 👨‍🌾 Over 24,000 farmers donated fertile land for the city's construction, but now face the loss of their land without compensation.
• 🏢 Government buildings are incomplete, with some lacking basic utilities like electricity.
• 🚧 Infrastructure like sewage systems and flyovers are planned but not yet operational.
• 🏛️ The Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly building, a key structure, is only partially constructed.
• 🗺️ Amaravati's central location and fertile land made it an ideal site for a new capital, but political changes have stalled development.
• 🔄 The change in political leadership led to a shift in plans, with the new Chief Minister proposing three separate capitals.
• 💸 Andhra Pradesh is heavily in debt, raising questions about the financial feasibility of the new capital plans.
• 🤝 International investors, including the World Bank and Asian Infrastructure Bank, were initially involved but have since withdrawn.
• 🏗️ The Supreme Court is yet to decide on the city's future, leaving the development in limbo.

Q & A

What was the original vision for Amaravati?

The original vision for Amaravati was to become the world's most sustainable city, with features like water taxis, solar power, and a proper drainage system, aiming to be the Singapore of India.

How did the farmers contribute to the development of Amaravati?

Approximately 24,000 farmers donated their highly fertile land, totaling 28,000 acres, to build the capital city of Amaravati.

What was the political shift that impacted Amaravati's development?

The political shift occurred when Chandrababu Naidu lost the 2019 elections to Jagan Mohan Reddy, who then proposed a plan to have three separate capitals for Andhra Pradesh, halting the development of Amaravati.

What are the three proposed capitals by Jagan Mohan Reddy?

Jagan Mohan Reddy proposed that Andhra Pradesh would have three capitals: Amaravati as the legislative capital, Visakhapatnam as the administrative capital, and Kurnool as the judicial capital.

What was the reaction of the farmers to the new plan proposed by Jagan Mohan Reddy?

The farmers were deeply disappointed and distrusted as their donated fertile land lay barren and they had not received any compensation for it, leading to years of protests.

What was the role of foreign investors in the development of Amaravati?

Foreign investors like the government of Singapore, World Bank, Asian Infrastructure Bank, and the Lulu Group were involved in the project, but later withdrew their investments due to the political changes and halted development.

What is the current state of infrastructure in Amaravati?

As of the script, Amaravati's infrastructure is incomplete with unfinished flyovers, electricity towers without wires, empty government buildings, and unaligned sewage pipes.

What was the intended purpose of the land donation by farmers according to the original plan?

The land was intended to be used for creating a greenfield capital city with modern facilities and infrastructure, including a high court, a legislative building, and various districts each with its own specialty.

What was the goal for the completion of Amaravati according to the original plan?

The goal was to complete the development of Amaravati fully by 2024, as stated in the plan released in 2015.

What legal actions have been taken by the farmers regarding their land?

Farmers took the matter to the High Court, which ordered Jagan to finish the city's development in 6 months. The case has since gone to the Supreme Court, which has not yet given a verdict.

How does the script suggest the issue of Amaravati's development could be resolved?

The script implies that the resolution of Amaravati's development issue is tied to the outcome of the 2024 elections and the formation of a new government.