Leaders of different political parties and civic organisations are opting for a balanced, decentralised economic model for the overall development of Seemandhra region rather than the concentration of different growth sectors in one big capital city.
The subject was debated much before the general elections and picked up greater momentum now with reports appearing in a section of the media that the new capital for AP may be developed in the Guntur- Vijayawada- Eluru corridor.
Most of the leaders are rejecting the Hyderabad model of concentrated development as it will lead to regional imbalances and socio-economic disparity among the stakeholders.
The Bharatiya Janata Party leaders have been vocal in this aspect with the party’s national executive member P. Chandrasekhara Rao also expressing a similar opinion here on Wednesday.
When asked whether the BJP had held any talks with their ally Telugu Desam Party on the issue of identification of the new capital, Mr. Rao said that the special committee appointed by the Central government was going into the details on this issue.
Clarity would emerge only after some concrete proposals are brought forward.
With regard to media reports on the Guntur-Vijayawada-Eluru corridor being proposed as the new capital, Mr. Chandrasekhara Rao avoided a direct reply but elaborated that there was consensus that a decentralised economic model would be pursued for the equal development of all regions in AP.
Under the proposed new model, the TDP-BJP alliance government would be focusing on the scope for spreading development of different types of industries in different places.
The BJP leaders in Nellore district were of the view that as a consequence of the new policy of the government, Nellore region, would stand to gain as well going by the natural resources available in the district.
Already the Krishnapatnam port has been developed while the Central government had sanctioned the Dugarajapatnam Port in Sullurupeta area.