04 Feb 2023 New Capital of Andhra Pradesh: Vishakhapatnam
New Capital of Andhra Pradesh: Vishakhapatnam
This article covers “Daily current events “and the topic is about ‘the new capital of Andhra Pradesh which is in the news, it covers the “Indian polity” In GS-2, and the following content has relevance for UPSC.
For Prelims: About function and responsibilities of union and state government
For Mains: GS-2, key concerns regarding three capital formation
Why in the news:
Vishakhapatnam will be the future capital of Andhra Pradesh, according to the state’s chief minister.
About the New Capital of Andhra Pradesh
Hyderabad, the former capital of undivided Andhra Pradesh, is now part of Telangana, hence Andhra Pradesh needs a new capital.
The capital has been temporarily split between the two states.
The act of 2014 establishing the Andhra Pradesh Capital Region Development Authority (APCRDA) has been repealed by the present state administration.
Key issues in the Capital dispute
The Andhra Pradesh Capital Region Development Authority Act, 2014 was enacted by the state after the division of Andhra Pradesh, and it was first suggested that a Grand Capital be established in Amravati.
The Andhra Pradesh Decentralisation and Inclusive Development of All Regions Act, 2020 was passed by the state government in accordance with the High Power Committee’s recommendations.
According to the Act, Kurnool would serve as the state’s “Judicial Capital,” Amaravati as its “Legislative Capital,” and Visakhapatnam as its “Executive Capital.”
Amravati farmers banded together under the leadership of the Rajdhani Rythu Parirakshana Samithi.
The Andhra HC received a petition contesting the Decentralization judgement. The state government chose to repeal the decentralisation statute following the HC ruling.
The Amravati Samiti, the Andhra Pradesh government, and the Centre were all contacted by the SC Bench for comments.
Advantages of three capitals
Governmental operations serve as the hub around which a number of developmental activities develop and strengthen the local economy, increasing productivity and creating jobs for residents.
Regional Growth Can Be Balanced: It is thought that by having three capitals, the state can better balance the development of its many regions, resulting in better economic and social progress.
Increased Investment: The emergence of new capital is predicted to draw capital and generate employment possibilities, enhancing the local economy.
Increased Accessibility: The decentralisation of the state’s capital city is anticipated to provide access to public services for residents living in various regions of the state.
From the perspective of urbanisation, it is preferable to work against a large, densely populated metropolis in favour of mid-sized cities with respectable economies.
Congestion will be reduced as a result of the capital city’s decentralisation, which is also anticipated to enhance living conditions in the current capital.
Reduced traffic: The decentralisation of the capital city is also anticipated to improve the standard of living for its citizens by reducing traffic in the current capital.
Challenges associated new Capital of Andhra Pradesh
Coordination during assembly sessions will be hampered by the Legislature and Executive’s separation and distance from one another.
Declaring three capitals will not serve decentralisation and inclusive development; rather, functional and financial decentralisation and empowerment down to the third layer of government are needed, making local bodies self-governing organisations.
There isn’t a consensus among all interested parties: Farmers who donated land and investors who invested money did so with the expectation that their endeavours would result in some gains.
Financial issues: The expected cost of building three capitals is substantial, raising questions about the project’s ability to be funded.
Lack of infrastructure: The three capitals’ chosen locations could not have the appropriate infrastructure, which could make planning and execution difficult.
Disengagement from Appointed Experts and Organizations: The World Bank, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, and other institutions have already completed their financial commitment. It will undoubtedly worsen the negative reputation of the internal politics-related reversal.
Impact on the environment: The establishment of new capitals may have negative social and environmental effects on nearby populations, such as deforestation and biodiversity loss.
Multiple Capitals Examples
Global Scenario:
The federal judicial, legislative, and executive branches of South Africa each have their own capital (Pretoria, Cape Town, and Bloemfontein).
Countries having two capitals: These include Chile (Valparaiso and Santiago), Bolivia (Sucre and La Paz), and Georgia (Tbilisi and Tbilisi) (Tbilisi and Kutaisi).
In India:
While the capitals of Kerala, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh are in Lucknow, Bhopal, Gandhinagar, and Thiruvananthapuram, respectively, and their respective high courts are in Prayagraj, Jabalpur, Ahmedabad, and Kochi, respectively.
Additionally, during a portion of the year, some governments relocate their legislative bodies to another city. These include Karnataka, Himachal Pradesh (Shimla and Dharmshala), and Maharashtra (Mumbai and Nagpur) (Bengaluru and Belgaum).
Way ahead
Consultation with Stakeholders: In order to understand their viewpoints and handle any issues they may have, the government should consult with a variety of stakeholders, including locals, politicians, and specialists.
Feasibility Study: To evaluate the project’s technical, financial, and administrative viability, a thorough feasibility study should be carried out.
Infrastructure Development: To ensure the viability of all three planned capitals as viable cities, enough infrastructure, including transportation, housing, and basic amenities, should be created in each.
Environmental Influence Assessment: To make sure that the establishment of new capital does not have a negative impact on the environment and other communities, an environmental impact assessment should be carried out.
To ensure the efficient and effective execution of the three capitals, a thorough implementation strategy should be created. This plan should include the distribution of resources and duties.
Monitoring and Evaluation: To ensure the project’s success, the progress should be frequently examined and monitored. If adjustments are required, they should be made.
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