Global sheen for Andhra Pradesh capital

HYDERABAD: Coming up on the banks of river Krishna between Vijayawada and Guntur and covering 217 sq km, Amaravati, the new capital of Andhra Pradesh, will be the seat of power, a commercial hub and will include a central business district, commercial zones, industrial parks and residential neighbourhoods.
"Amaravati will be a city where Andhra citizens and people from all over the world can live, work and play," said Singapore second minister for trade and industry S Iswaran while handing over the second master plan for the AP capital region to chief minister Chandrababu Naidu at a press conference here on Monday.
The first plan, which dealt with the entire capital region, was submitted to AP on March 30 and the third plan, which would deal with the core capital region housing government buildings and offices, is to be handed over to the state by mid-July.
Creating a livable Indian city, enhancing connectivity and active mobility, ensuring sustainability and a people's capital are the five key features of the Amaravati master plan. Vastu and energy principles are the key aspects of the second master plan specific to Amaravati. It envisages easy and good road network, public transit (metro), non-motorized transport strategy and features green and blue network and a religious tourist network. All the master plans are being prepared by Surbana International and Jurong International, who have been appointed consultants as part of the MoU signed between the AP and Singapore governments.
Addressing the media, Surbana International chief executive officer Pang Yee Ean said the plan has been based on the water and heritage resources in the area. The conceptual part of the plan has provision for a 'Brahmasthan,' a large open space in the heart of Amaravati which will be triangle in shape and designed based on vastu and energy principles. 'Brahmasthan' will be like the Central Park in New York, said Singapore officials.
Seven growth corridors will spring out of Amaravati, including the Hyderabad Machilipatnam corridor. The Amaravati master plan envisages construction of three national highways which will link national highways 9, 5 and 221 covering Vijayawada, Tadepalle, Mangalagiri, and Ibrahimpatnam, while Krishna and Guntur districts will be linked through four bridges.
The Amaravati master plan aims to enhance the connectivity of the capital with a bus rapid transit (BRT) system that can eventually be upgraded to mass rapid transit (MRT) system. As per the master plan, the road network strategy envisages an expressway covering 127 km, arterial roads spread over 155 km and sub-arterial roads extending to 155 km.
The non-motorized transport strategy will promote the use of public transport and minimize the need for long commutes. Amravati residents will also have non-motorized transport choices using an extensive network of walkways, cycle tracks and local waterways. This approach will promote active mobility within the city while protecting its environment through reductions in carbon emissions and other pollutants. "Since the particular location has about 35 km of Krishna river stretch, Amaravati will be a world class beauty," Ean said.
The ambitious green and blue network of the capital provides for a water network covering an area of 11.5 sq km and green network covering an area of 79 sq km. The capital city will have civic park (near Ibahimpatnam) water front, cricket stadium, golf course (near Tadepalle) canal parks along with Nidumukkla hill forest and a central park.
The ambitious religious tourism circuit will encompass Amaravati temple, Kondapalli fort, Anathavaram temple, Kanakadurga temple in Vijayawada, Bhavani island, Undavalli caves, Mangalagiri temple and Neerukonda via water (45 km) and mass rapid transit system or metro network in 145 km and 61 km of road circuit.
The plan also provides a detailed space for Krishna river treatment covering 3,000 hectares of water area and 2,800 hectares of islands area. Krishna river front will have bund and ghats with golf courses, island resorts, water front residential area and an island theme park as well.
The detailed master plan also talks about a township in Tullur spread over 1,194 hectares of land which will be a residential area near work places and will be constructed with the objective of promoting the concept of 'walk to work'. Pedestrian-friendly streets, special bike lanes and bike-sharing will part of the strategy. Mass rapid transport system is the key factor with arterial roads, rural roads and highways passing through the capital city.
Capital dreams
* Conceptual part of the master plan includes provision for 'Brahmasthan,' a large open space in the heart of Amaravati and designed based on vastu and energy principles
* Seven growth corridors, including the Hyderabad Machilipatnam corridor
* Construction of three national highways linking NH 9, 5 and 221
* Krishna and Guntur districts to be linked through four bridges
* Bus rapid transit (BRT) system that can eventually be upgraded to mass rapid transit (MRT) system
* Water network covering 11.5 sq km and green network covering an area of 79 sq km
* Civic park (near Ibahimpatnam), water front, cricket stadium, golf course (near Tadepalle), canal parks along with Nidumukkla hill forest and a central park.
* Religious tourism circuit encompassing Amaravati temple, Kondapalli fort, Anathavaram temple, Kanakadurga temple, Bhavani island, Undavalli caves, Mangalagiri temple and Neerukonda via water (45 km)