Andhra Pradesh Capital Region Development Authority Act 2014

The Andhra Pradesh Capital Region Development Authority Act, 2014 is the legislative foundation for the creation of the Andhra Pradesh Capital Region Development Authority (APCRDA), a statutory body tasked with transforming Amaravati into a world-class capital city. Unique in its scope, the Act empowers APCRDA to oversee land acquisition, urban planning, and infrastructure development across a 7,068 km² capital region, making it one of India’s most ambitious post-independence urban experiments.

Origins / Historical Background

The Act emerged after Andhra Pradesh’s bifurcation in 2014, when Hyderabad remained with Telangana, leaving the residual state without a capital. The Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014 (Section 5) mandated the establishment of a new capital, prompting the state to pass the APCRDA Act on December 22, 2014. The legislation designated 29 villages in Guntur and Krishna districts as the core capital area, with APCRDA as the apex authority for its development.

Key Provisions

The Act grants APCRDA sweeping powers under Section 16 to acquire land, either through negotiation or under the Land Acquisition Act, 2013. Section 20 empowers it to approve or reject development projects, while Section 24 mandates the preparation of a master plan for the capital region, revised every 20 years. The Act also establishes a Capital Region Development Fund (Section 30) to finance infrastructure, funded through state allocations, loans, and user charges.

How It Works / Mechanism

APCRDA operates through a three-tier structure: a Chairperson (typically the Chief Minister), a Vice-Chairperson, and a Board of Directors comprising bureaucrats and experts. The authority coordinates with line departments, private developers, and international consultants—such as Singapore’s SURBAN—to execute projects like the Amaravati Greenfield Airport Corridor (approved in 2017) and the 5.5 km-long Secretariat Complex.

Current Status / Implementation

The Act’s implementation has faced challenges, including land disputes and political shifts. In 2019, the Jagan Mohan Reddy government proposed decentralizing the capital, leading to the Andhra Pradesh Decentralisation and Inclusive Development of All Regions Act, 2020, which sought to replace APCRDA with three separate authorities. However, legal battles and the Andhra Pradesh High Court’s 2022 stay on the decentralization law have kept APCRDA’s framework intact, though its future remains contested.