Amid continuing debate on developing a capital city for Andhra Pradesh, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu today said the Vijayawada region has been chosen as it is centrally located in the state.
"There were many problems even for deciding on the location of the capital. You have seen that. Still, we have gone ahead with courage. TDP is the only party to say that capital should come in that particular place and central place. I am proud of that. Why should it come there? Because, it is central place," Naidu said in the Legislative Assembly.
He said farmers and land-owners in proposed capital region have voluntarily come forward and handed over their land for development of the capital.
Municipal Administration Minister P Narayana said earlier this week that about 33,000 acres had already been pooled for the development of the capital region.
Referring to suggestions made by some political parties that the capital could be developed in some forest land which is available instead of choosing a fertile region to do so, Naidu said it was not beneficial to locate the capital in a forest land.
"When it was said that forest land is available at some places, I said it is good. We will do it. We can set up a veterinary hospital and college and treat animals. In a civilised world, everybody should understand that politics is not permanent. We have to think of the people," the CM said.
Recalling his announcement in the assembly about the government's plans to develop each district in the state in a particular way by establishing different institutions and other initiatives, he said the process is on to implement them.
On the promises like special status, special development package, bridging the revenue deficit, help in setting up the capital and forming a railway zone at Visakhapatnam made to Andhra Pradesh during bifurcation of the undivided state last year, Naidu expressed optimism that the Centre would take steps for implementing them.
He appreciated the NDA government for issuing an ordinance for construction of Polavaram multi-purpose irrigation project, which has been declared a national project.
Naidu, who had earlier expressed disappointment over the Union Budget allegedly not doing enough vis-a-vis the promises made to AP, said yesterday that he was pursuing the issue with the Centre.
