Botsa’s statement opens pandora’s box

YSR Congress party leader and Andhra Pradesh municipal administration and urban development minister Botsa Satyanarayana’s statement hinting at possible shifting of capital from flood-prone Amaravati to some other place has triggered an intense debate in the mainstream media as well as social media.

While the pro-Telugu Desam Party groups have naturally opposed the shifting of capital from Amaravati since it would mean colossal waste of money, many others have come up with various suggestions and also demands on the relocation of the capital city.

There have been a lot of suggestions and demands on shifting of capital to Visakhapatnam, which has all natural resources and infrastructure facilities like port, airport, huge chunk of government lands, cosmopolitan culture, educational and recreational facilities etc.

“The government does not have to spend much except on government buildings,” a netizen said.

The talk of developing Donakonda in Prakasam district is also being debated in the media circles.

“Why developed areas like Guntur or Visakhapatnam? Let the government choose Donakonda as the capital and it will have natural growth as a green field capital city,” another netizen suggested.

Now, there are also demands from the people of Rayalaseema to shift the capital to their region, which is most backward.

Former Kurnool MLA S V Mohan Reddy demanded that Kurnool be made as new capital city of AP as per Sree Bagh agreement. He noted that everyone should come forward for the cause of the capital.

It is time for the government to put an end to all these speculations and come out with a clear stand on the capital region.