Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday robustly defended the ongoing development of Amaravati, the state’s greenfield capital city, calling it “unstoppable” despite criticisms from political opponents. Speaking at an event held at a private college in Vijayawada, Naidu asserted that Amaravati is being constructed at a pace and scale that will earn global recognition, and accused detractors of attempting to stall its progress out of jealousy.

Naidu’s comments come amid heightened political tensions in Andhra Pradesh over the ambitious capital city project, which has been a subject of debate since the bifurcation of the state in 2014. The YSR Congress Party (YSRCP), led by former Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy, has repeatedly questioned the feasibility, planning, and financial management of Amaravati, while the current Telugu Desam Party (TDP)-led administration continues to push forward with the city’s development.

Addressing the gathering in Vijayawada, Naidu said, “We are going to build an Amaravati which the world will appreciate. Some are jealous of its construction speed and are dreaming of stalling it… But it is unstoppable.” He portrayed the criticisms as politically motivated attacks by those unwilling to acknowledge the rapid pace at which the capital city is being constructed.

Naidu also addressed concerns about the location of Amaravati in a river basin, an issue raised by Reddy and other critics. He cited examples of major cities worldwide—such as Mumbai, Hyderabad, Delhi, London, as well as Indian cities like Rajahmundry and Visakhapatnam—highlighting that civilizations historically flourished near water sources. “Civilisations bloomed wherever there was water. Yet some people, unaware of these facts, indulge in unnecessary politics to stall development,” he said.

Emphasizing the vision for a modern urban hub, Naidu outlined plans to integrate Vijayawada, Guntur, Mangalagiri, and Amaravati into a seamless “best liveable city.” He also announced a futuristic initiative: the installation of a quantum computer in Amaravati, which he claimed would become operational within six months. According to the Chief Minister, courses are already being taught to students and professionals on quantum algorithms, preparing a skilled workforce to utilize the state-of-the-art technology. Naidu highlighted that Andhra Pradesh promptly seized the opportunity to host the quantum facility after the central government announced a national quantum mission.

While Naidu framed Amaravati as a symbol of ambition, innovation, and rapid development, senior YSRCP leader S Ramakrishna Reddy countered the Chief Minister’s claims, raising pointed questions about the handling of the project and its impact on local farmers. In a press release, Ramakrishna Reddy accused the TDP-led government of neglecting unresolved issues from the first phase of land pooling and hastening the second phase without adequately addressing farmers’ grievances.

Reddy highlighted that nearly 50,000 acres of land had been acquired from farmers in the initial phase, yet he claimed that basic infrastructure development—such as roads, connectivity, and plot preparation—remained incomplete. “There are no proper roads, no connectivity, and no plot development in Amaravati. Farmers are left in distress,” he said. The YSRCP leader also alleged that returnable plots had been allotted in low-lying areas prone to flooding, as well as in tanks, rendering them practically unsellable and diminishing their value.

Financial management was another major point of contention. Ramakrishna Reddy claimed that the TDP government had spent only around ₹5,000 crore on Amaravati in the past five years, despite the first phase alone requiring nearly ₹1 lakh crore. He further alleged that the government had borrowed over ₹40,000 crore in the name of Amaravati but had failed to allocate funds for priority development works. Pointing to the construction of a massive new secretariat, he criticized what he described as “inflated costs” and “commission-driven contracts,” asserting that the capital project had become a “hub of scams.”

Naidu, however, dismissed such accusations as politically motivated. He reaffirmed that Amaravati’s construction would continue without disruption and described the project as a model for modern urban development. “The Amaravati project will not only redefine Andhra Pradesh’s landscape but will also become an example for cities across India and the world,” he said, emphasizing the government’s commitment to completing the city according to world-class standards.

The Amaravati capital city project has long been a flashpoint in Andhra Pradesh politics. Initiated during Naidu’s previous term, the project envisioned a sprawling, technologically advanced city on the banks of the Krishna River, integrating government offices, residential areas, commercial zones, and civic amenities. While supporters argue that the city has the potential to become a globally recognized urban center, critics—primarily from the YSRCP—have cited environmental concerns, financial viability, and the impact on farmers who surrendered land under the land pooling scheme.

The political debate surrounding Amaravati intensified after Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy assumed office in 2019. Reddy has consistently questioned the TDP’s approach to land acquisition, planning, and project execution, calling for greater transparency and prioritization of farmer welfare. The latest remarks from senior YSRCP leaders suggest that these criticisms remain central to the party’s political messaging ahead of future elections.

Despite the criticisms, Naidu stressed that Andhra Pradesh was committed to building a capital city that meets international standards. He highlighted modern infrastructure, technological advancements like the quantum computing initiative, and the integration of surrounding cities as key pillars of the development strategy. According to Naidu, these measures reflect both ambition and a focus on long-term planning, with Amaravati positioned as a city that will attract investment, talent, and global recognition.

In conclusion, the debate over Amaravati underscores the high stakes of urban development projects in India, where political considerations, economic planning, and social concerns often intersect. As Andhra Pradesh continues to advance its greenfield capital, the clash between the TDP and YSRCP illustrates the ongoing tension between development priorities and accountability to affected communities. While Naidu frames Amaravati as a symbol of progress and innovation, his critics continue to question whether the project adequately addresses the needs of local stakeholders and whether it is being executed with transparency and financial prudence.

Whether Amaravati ultimately becomes the showcase city envisioned by Naidu or remains mired in controversy will likely depend on the government’s ability to balance rapid development with the concerns of farmers, financial scrutiny, and environmental sustainability—a challenge that will remain central to Andhra Pradesh’s political discourse in the years ahead.