Amaravati Set To Be Andhra Pradesh Sole Capital

The Centre is set to introduce the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2026 in the Lok Sabha to formally recognise Amaravati as the sole capital of Andhra Pradesh. The move aims to provide statutory backing to the greenfield capital project and bring clarity to the long-standing capital issue in the State.

Legislative Push for Amaravati

The proposed amendment seeks to modify Section 5 of the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014. The original Act designated Hyderabad as the joint capital of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana for ten years after bifurcation, without specifying a permanent capital for Andhra Pradesh. The new Bill aims to explicitly name Amaravati as the State’s sole capital, thereby removing ambiguity.

Assembly Resolution and Political Consensus

The development follows a unanimous resolution passed by the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly on March 28, 2026. The resolution urged the Union government to grant legal recognition to Amaravati as the permanent capital. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu emphasised that Amaravati is a definitive choice and stated that the decision aligns with constitutional provisions and public preference.

Key Amendments and Land Pooling Model

The amendment proposes inserting the phrase “at Amaravati” in the relevant section of the 2014 Act. It also seeks to define Amaravati as the capital region notified under the Andhra Pradesh Capital Region Development Authority Act, 2014. The capital project is backed by a large land pooling initiative, with over 34,000 acres voluntarily contributed by farmers and a total land bank of around 54,000 acres. Plans are underway to expand this further under a second phase.

Important Facts for Exams

• Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014 led to bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
• Hyderabad served as joint capital for 10 years post-bifurcation.
• Amaravati is a planned greenfield capital city project.
• Land pooling is a model where farmers voluntarily contribute land for development.

Development Plans and Timeline

The Amaravati project is envisioned as a sustainable “Blue-Green City” with modern infrastructure. Around 91 infrastructure projects worth ₹56,000 crore are currently underway, generating employment for thousands. Key developments, including roads, government buildings, and institutional infrastructure, are scheduled for completion between 2027 and 2028. The renewed push follows the revival of the Amaravati plan after a period of uncertainty, during which a three-capital model had been proposed earlier.