In Andhra Pradesh, a regime change brings a ghost city back to life

The hum of bulldozers and the chatter of construction workers are sure-shot signs of a ghost city coming back to life. Even before Telugu Desam Party chief N Chandrababu Naidu takes oath as the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, wheels are in motion to revive his dream project of the Amaravati capital city, with workers and engineers on the ground saying they have received directions to that end.

“We are clearing the weeds and the vegetation around buildings; we should complete the pending work soon,” M Madhu, a contractor, toldThe Indian Express, standing near highrise apartments meant for the All India Services (AIS) officers.

Similarly, at Tulluru, bulldozers are busy clearing dense vegetation around highrise apartments meant to serve as quarters for the state’s MLAs. Executive engineer Basweswar Rao said he has received directions to resume work, and finishing touches are being given. “The approach road to the buildings, and the trunk road which connects Tulluru to other areas, will also be laid soon,” he said.

Official orders, he said, will be issued soon.

Engineers could also be seen inspecting the foundation for buildings that are currency abandoned, and inspecting pipelines the size of mini-buses, which have been lying beside the six-lane Seed Capital Road for the past five years.

Amaravati city, spread over 217 square kilometres, had taken shape in 2015, barely one year after Naidu took charge as Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister following the state’s bifurcation. But its development came to a halt in 2019 after Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy led the YSR Congress Party to a victory in the Assembly polls. The project has remained close to Naidu’s heart, particularly since Andhra Pradesh lost Hyderabad to Telangana, the state which