Amaravati rises like a phoenix from the ashes of wilful neglect

Amaravati is getting ready for a big relaunch.

After years of neglect and legal struggles, the capital city of Andhra Pradesh is coming back to life. Amaravati, once planned to be a modern capital on par with the best cities in the world, had become a symbol of unfulfilled promises. Now, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi set to lay the foundation stone on May 2, 2025, this long-delayed project is starting to move forward again — one earthmover, one tender at a time, backstopped by a determined chief minister.

Once seen as a "ghost city," Amaravati is getting ready for a big relaunch.

The vision

It covers 217 square kilometers between Vijayawada and Guntur, and the ₹65,000-crore project is back on track after a five-year pause. Amaravati will serve as the administrative center and aims to be the world's first fully renewable-powered capital city. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu wants a green, modern capital that supports India's goals for clean energy and sustainable urban growth.

The city expects to need 2,700 megawatts of energy by 2050, which will come from solar, wind, and hydropower. Rooftop solar panels are already on government buildings like Anganwadis, schools, and health centres. A district cooling system is planned to save energy for climate control, cutting electricity use in public buildings by half.

Public transport, including Amaravati Metro and an electric bus fleet, will use clean energy. The city will have charging stations for electric vehicles throughout. This infrastructure is essential. Officials say that all major building permits must follow green standards, including solar systems on at least one-third of government housing roofs.

Revival is also about bring back respect

Amaravati’s revival is not just about energy; it’s about bringing back respect to a capital that was suddenly put aside. The original plan included nine theme cities, 27 townships, a top-notch legislative building, a 50-storey tower for the General Administration Department, a high court, a secretariat, and many flats for legislators, officials, and staff.

In 2015, Naidu acquired 33,000 acres of land through a scheme that aimed to develop plots and help farmers. However, this vision was disrupted in 2019 when the YSRCP won the assembly election and proposed the idea of three separate capitals, leaving Amaravati in an uncertain situation.

For five years, construction stopped. Buildings that were only partly finished were left behind, and contractors left the site. What were once meant to be beautiful representations of Buddhist design ended up in ruins. In 2024, Naidu returned with support from the NDA, bringing new life to the capital.

“We are not just restarting construction; we are reimagining Amaravati as a city for the future that is fully sustainable,” said a senior official from the AP Capital Region Development Authority. This vision is turning into reality: 92 stalled projects are getting back on track, and contracts worth ₹43,000 crore have been awarded. The total value of approved projects is over ₹64,000 crore. Right now, over 3,000 workers and 500 machines are on site, with thousands more expected in the coming weeks.

A three-year deadline

The Minister for Municipal Administration and Urban Development, P. Narayana, has set a clear timeline. “We aim to complete the main capital as planned in three years,” he said. The government buildings will cover 1,450 acres and will include the Assembly, Secretariat, High Court, and GAD towers. “The previous government disrupted progress by suggesting three capitals. It took nearly nine months to fix the administrative issues they caused.”

In addition to building the core area, Amaravati is also planning improvements such as a railway line, an outer ring road, and an international airport. The government aims to connect Amaravati with Vijayawada and Guntur, creating a larger urban area. To acquire land for the airport and new transport routes, the government plans to start another round of land pooling, which once worked well because of trust and transparency.

Amaravati symbolises different things for stakeholders

As Modi arrives to restart the development of Amaravati on 2nd May, the project has evolved beyond just construction. It now symbolises various things. For Naidu, it shows a consistent vision. For farmers, it brings back the promise made to them ten years ago. For the state, it offers a chance to create a smart capital that mixes tradition with modernity and ambition with responsibility.

The global importance of Amaravati is also clear. It could set a standard for green city planning in a world facing climate challenges. This includes relying on renewable energy, building net-zero energy buildings, and promoting sustainable urban transport. With India leading the global shift to renewable energy, Amaravati could become a real example — not just in words, but in actual energy and construction.

The bungalows are being cleaned up from the weeds. The road lights are working again. Steel is rising once more. After facing many hurdles, Amaravati is coming back with a new goal: to show that postponed dreams can still be achieved and that a capital in uncertainty can become strong and wise again.