New Delhi, Jan 08, 2026 – Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu met with Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi on Wednesday, pressing the Centre to grant statutory recognition to Amaravati as the official capital of Andhra Pradesh. Naidu stressed that formal legislative acknowledgment would provide policy certainty, accelerate development, and strengthen investor confidence, a move he described as crucial for the state’s long-term growth and stability.

The meeting followed the Chief Minister’s visit to the Polavaram project, a major multipurpose irrigation and hydroelectric development in the state, underlining the twin priorities of infrastructure expansion and governance reforms. During discussions with Amit Shah, Naidu highlighted several aspects of Andhra Pradesh’s development agenda, ranging from capital-city planning to fiscal and welfare considerations.

Statutory Status for Amaravati

At the core of Naidu’s appeal was the need for a Bill in Parliament granting Amaravati statutory capital status. The Chief Minister argued that legislative recognition would remove ambiguities surrounding the capital’s administrative status, providing a legal framework for uninterrupted development. According to him, such a step would formalize Amaravati’s role as the state’s administrative and economic hub, ensuring that both public investments and private capital flow smoothly into the city’s planned development projects.

Naidu emphasized that policy clarity was essential not only for completing pending projects but also for strengthening investor confidence. Over the past years, Andhra Pradesh had witnessed uncertainty regarding the capital’s location, which had deterred large-scale private investment. By providing statutory status to Amaravati, Naidu said, the state could expedite infrastructure development, urban planning, and governance initiatives in a consistent and predictable manner.

“The people of Andhra Pradesh aspire to see Amaravati as a modern, vibrant capital,” Naidu said during the meeting. “Statutory recognition is not merely a procedural step; it is central to fulfilling their aspirations and ensuring that the city emerges as a model capital for the 21st century.”

Fiscal Concerns and VB-G-RAM-G Scheme

In addition to capital-city issues, the Chief Minister raised concerns regarding the financial provisions of the recently introduced VB-G-RAM-G scheme, an initiative aimed at supporting welfare and rural development. Naidu pointed out that the Centre-State funding ratio of 60:40 placed a significant financial burden on the Andhra Pradesh government, which could impede effective implementation of welfare programs.

Requesting greater flexibility in funding mechanisms, Naidu urged the Centre to provide alternative financial support and adjustments to account for the state’s current fiscal situation. Acknowledging the Centre’s assistance in stabilizing Andhra Pradesh’s finances during past periods of stress, he appealed for continued cooperation to ensure the state could meet developmental targets without compromising essential services or projects.

The discussions also touched upon the implementation timelines for ongoing infrastructure and welfare schemes, reflecting the state government’s focus on both immediate and long-term development priorities. Naidu underlined that accelerated completion of these projects would have far-reaching economic and social benefits for Andhra Pradesh, including job creation, improved living standards, and enhanced regional connectivity.

Development and Welfare Projects

Beyond Amaravati’s statutory recognition and fiscal issues, the meeting covered various state development and welfare initiatives. Naidu highlighted the government’s efforts in education, health, rural infrastructure, and social welfare, showcasing Andhra Pradesh as a state committed to inclusive growth. He emphasized the importance of ensuring that public resources are deployed efficiently, with a focus on transparency, accountability, and timely execution.

The Chief Minister also discussed the Polavaram project, which has strategic importance for irrigation, hydropower generation, and regional water management. He stressed that completing the project in a timely manner would not only benefit farmers and local communities but also support Andhra Pradesh’s broader economic and industrial development goals.

National Security and NIDMS

During the meeting, Union Home Minister Amit Shah highlighted ongoing efforts at the national level to strengthen India’s internal security and counter-terrorism capabilities. In this context, he discussed the upcoming inauguration of the National IED Data Management System (NIDMS), developed by the National Security Guard (NSG).

NIDMS is a secure, national-level digital platform designed to enable systematic collection, collation, and dissemination of data related to Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). Officials explained that the platform would play a critical role in post-blast investigations, intelligence sharing, and coordination among law enforcement agencies.

“The system will act as a common repository for IED-related information, allowing State Police forces, Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), and other central agencies to access, analyze, and share critical data in real time,” officials said. By centralizing data, NIDMS aims to improve preparedness, identify patterns, track emerging threats, and support rapid response to IED-related incidents.

The Home Minister’s remarks reflected the broader focus on strengthening India’s counter-terrorism infrastructureand enhancing coordination between central and state agencies. While the primary purpose of the meeting was to discuss Andhra Pradesh’s development priorities, these security initiatives underscored the federal government’s commitment to integrating state-level governance with national-level security concerns.

Strategic Implications of Amaravati’s Recognition

Granting Amaravati statutory status is expected to have several strategic implications for Andhra Pradesh. Firstly, it would provide legislative clarity that could prevent future administrative disputes regarding the capital. Secondly, statutory recognition would facilitate long-term planning for urban infrastructure, governance, and service delivery, enabling Andhra Pradesh to develop Amaravati as a modern, sustainable capital.

Investors and development partners have expressed concerns in the past regarding uncertainty over Amaravati’s status. By providing legislative backing, the Centre could send a strong signal of stability and policy continuity, attracting both domestic and international investment into key sectors such as real estate, industrial development, and public infrastructure.

Moreover, statutory recognition could help Andhra Pradesh streamline regulatory approvals, ensure efficient land management, and accelerate the implementation of urban projects, including roads, public transport networks, utilities, and digital infrastructure. These measures are likely to contribute to broader socio-economic growth and enhance the state’s competitive standing nationally and globally.

Conclusion

The meeting between Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and Union Home Minister Amit Shah represents a significant step in addressing long-standing administrative and developmental concerns in Andhra Pradesh. By seeking statutory status for Amaravati, Naidu aims to secure policy certainty, attract investment, and accelerate infrastructure and welfare projects in the state.

Alongside developmental issues, discussions on fiscal support and security infrastructure highlight the complex interplay between state governance, central assistance, and national-level priorities. With Amaravati’s future development at stake, the meeting underscores the importance of legislative recognition and cooperative federalism in enabling Andhra Pradesh to achieve its long-term economic, social, and infrastructural goals.

As the Centre reviews the proposal, stakeholders, including investors, policymakers, and citizens, will be watching closely to see how statutory recognition could transform Amaravati into a model capital city for the 21st century, while ensuring that developmental and welfare objectives for the state are met efficiently and sustainably.