Amaravati cannot be built overnight: Vijayasai Reddy

Metro India News | AMARAVATI

Former MP Vijayasai Reddy on Tuesday said Amaravati cannot be developed overnight and should not be expected to emerge as a fully functional capital within a short time frame.

He argued that major Indian cities such as Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Chennai were not created in haste but evolved gradually over centuries through steady expansion, population growth and economic development.

He noted Bengaluru was founded in 1537 by Kempe Gowda, Hyderabad in 1591 by Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah and Chennai in 1639 under Francis Day. Over time, these cities transformed into major metropolitan hubs through long-term planning and organic growth.

Criticising the Amaravati development approach, he said a capital city cannot be manufactured quickly with borrowed funds and ambitious infrastructure plans, especially when its self-financing capacity remains uncertain.

He suggested that the government should first prioritise completion of essential institutions such as the Assembly, Secretariat, High Court and basic housing facilities for government employees before taking up large-scale expansion works.

Reddy warned that excessive expenditure on non-revenue generating projects could significantly increase public debt and create a financial burden on future generations. He added that governance should focus on functionality, necessity and practical needs. rather than aesthetics.