The new capital for Andhra Pradesh seems to require more land than initially planned. 34,481 acres of land under the Land Pooling System (LPS) from local farmers have already been taken by the AP government and now it looks like 5,571 more acres are needed.

A report in The New Indian Express states that there has been resistance from local farmers and opposition parties about the land acquisition. The Singapore firms who are developing Amaravati are reportedly asking the government to allot them a certain amount of land free of cost for constructing the city.

The daily quotes sources as saying that the Singapore firms are likely to become development partners with the Capital City Development and Management Corporation Limited (CCDMC) which is looking after Amaravati construction project. These firms are reportedly demanding 2,000 to 3,000 acres in the capital city to undertake the project. The AP government is now thinking of giving 1,600 acres to them, adds the daily.

A top official of the Municipal Administration Department has also told the daily that with 1,600 acres being handed over to these firms, the government needs more land to build key infrastructure and buildings. Now, they are looking at additional 5,571 acres.

Recently, the state government passed two GOs providing free education to the children of farmers who gave their land for Amaravati and free healthcare facility to the families of farmers. This was done in order to ensure that they can procure the additional land with no obstacles adds the report.

Amaravati will also be a green capital. The report adds that the Centre will prepare an action plan for implementing Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC) in the city. This is going to be implemented through the US Agency for International Development (USAID). The Centre will set up a special cell for ECBC in Amaravati within two months, in coordination with the State Energy Conservation Mission and CRDA.