The Singapore team led by Centre for Livable Cities executive director Khoo Teng Chye has picked pace on the preparation of Master Plan for Andhra Pradesh’s upcoming capital. The Master plan is expected to be ready latest by June and then the interesting question of funds availability for the construction will arise.
Given the hostility of the Central government, the state government has lost all its hopes for center’s help for the capital construction. Even though it helps, the funds will not be on par with the ‘World Class’ level, Chandrababu is expecting. It is said that Singapore Team had offered to build the core capital area like assembly, secretariat, residential areas for officials, Raj Bhavan, CM camp office, courts, etc with out taking a single paisa from the state.
However the Singapore government is seeking land equal to the cost of the construction of the capital in a quid pro quo arrangement. This land will be used for various commercial, entertainment, residential zones etc for making money. But in the process, these are expected to create more employment opportunities in the area. The Singapore Team insisted on making the capital an industrial hub instead of a bare administrative unit so as to fast track the development. Also due to the World Class commercial activity, the real estate prices here will soar up and the farmers who gave up their lands will be benefited immensely.
