06 October 2015 - In June 2014, what led to the bifurcation of Telangana state from Andhra Pradesh also took away Hyderabad, the capital city of the state. As per the Andhra Pradesh Reorganization Act, 2014, over a period of 10 years the hi-tech city will continue to serve as a common capital for both the sister states. Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, who is known for his ambitious vision was quick to announce on 15 August, 2014 that a new capital will be developed between Guntur and Vijayawada. On 1 April, 2015, he announced that the new capital named ‘Amravati’ – claimed to be ‘Vaastu-compliant’ – will be developed on the Singapore model. The Andhra Pradesh government hired two Singapore-based consultants Surbana International Consultants and JURONG Consultants to prepare the master plan of the city.
Debadityo Sinha is an award-winning Indian ecologist and conservationist with a keen interest in studying the impact of law, policy, politics, and culture on conservation. He is the founder and Managing Trustee of 'Vindhyan Ecology & Natural History Foundation', and a member of IUCN Species Survival Commission- Bear Specialist Group. He is associated with Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy as a Senior Resident Fellow and leading the environmental law vertical.