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Andhra Pradesh Secretariat

Coordinates: 16°31′35″N 80°30′39″E / 16.526526°N 80.510951°E / 16.526526; 80.510951
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Andhra Pradesh Secretariat
ఆంధ్ర రాష్ట్ర సచివాలయం
Andhra Pradesh Secretariat at Velagapudi during Independence day 2017
Andhra Pradesh Secretariat is located in Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh Secretariat
Andhra Pradesh Secretariat is located in India
Andhra Pradesh Secretariat
Alternative namesAndhra Pradesh Sachivalayam
General information
LocationVelagapudi
Country India
Coordinates16°31′35″N 80°30′39″E / 16.526526°N 80.510951°E / 16.526526; 80.510951
Construction started12 February 2016[1]
Inaugurated29 June 2016[2]
Relocated31 July 2020
OwnerGovernment of Andhra Pradesh


The Andhra Pradesh Secretariat is the administrative headquarters of the Government of Andhra Pradesh, housing offices critical to state governance. Following the 2014 bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh into Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, the state established the Interim Government Complex (IGC) at Velagapudi, operational since October 2016, and the planned Amaravati Government Complex (AGC), designed by Foster and Partners under architect Norman Foster. The IGC serves as a temporary administrative center, while the AGC, part of the Greenfield capital city of Amaravati, is intended as a sustainable complex.

Interim Government Complex (IGC)

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History

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The Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act of 2014 designated Hyderabad as a shared capital for Andhra Pradesh and Telangana until June 2024, necessitating an independent administrative base for Andhra Pradesh.[3] In March 2015, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu selected Velagapudi, a village in Guntur district near Vijayawada, as the site for an interim secretariat to enable governance outside Hyderabad.[4] The decision aimed to establish a functional hub until the permanent capital at Amaravati was developed.[5]

Construction and Design

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The IGC occupies 45 acres of former agricultural land in Velagapudi.[6] Shapoorji Pallonji Group was contracted to construct the complex, targeting completion by June 15, 2016, across ten phases with a budget of ₹220 crore (equivalent to ₹316 crore or US$37 million in 2023) in phase 1. Delays extended the operational start to October 3, 2016[7] with a final budget of ₹750.08 crore (equivalent to ₹11 billion or US$130 million in 2023).[8] The complex comprises six two-story buildings (ground plus one). The first block houses the Chief Minister’s Office and a Command and Control Centre for real-time state monitoring, with remianing block occupying other departments.[9] The sixth block was initially allocated for the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly and Council, though its legislative use was deferred.[10] The foundation, supported by pre-cast pile caps, is engineered to withstand 2,144 tonnes, verified through dynamic pile load tests [6]. The design allocates 27 acres for administrative buildings and 18 acres for public amenities, including parking and utilities.[11] Environmental clearance was granted by the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) in April 2016, ensuring compliance with ecological standards.[12]

Operations & Challenges

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The IGC became fully operational on October 3, 2016, with most government departments relocating from Hyderabad [7]. Chief Minister Naidu officially occupied his office on October 11, 2016, during Vijayadashami.[13] A minimal staff remained in Hyderabad to handle ongoing legal matters [6]. U. Muralikrishna, president of AP Secretariat Association says that, over 10,000 people were moved during this transition from Hyderabad to neighbourhoods around Velagapudi.[14]

Construction faced logistical delays, and plans to add two additional floors were abandoned due to staff objections to working amid ongoing construction.[9] In July 2017, rainwater leaks affected the fourth block, prompting a Crime Investigation Department probe after similar issues in the Opposition Leader’s chamber. These incidents raised concerns about construction quality, though the IGC remains the state’s primary administrative hub.[15]

Amaravati Government Complex (AGC)

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History

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Following the 2014 bifurcation, Government of Andhra Pradesh designated Amaravati, a 217-square-kilometer site along the Krishna River, as its permanent capital.[16] Chief Minister Naidu envisioned Amaravati as a greenfield, sustainable city to rival global capitals.[17] The project commenced with a foundation stone-laying ceremony by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 22, 2015.[18] A land pooling scheme secured 33,000 acres from farmers, who received developed plots and lease payments in exchange.[19] The AGC, encompassing the Secretariat, Legislative Assembly, and High Court, forms the core of this plan [20].

Structure and Design

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Raft foundation works of Tower 2 in 2019
Tower 4 under construction in 2019

In 2017, Foster and Partners, led by Norman Foster, won an international competition to design the AGC. The complex spans 1,350 acres, measuring 5.5 km by 1 km, with a freshwater lake as its central feature. The design adheres to Vaastu Shastra principles, featuring a square layout, north and east entrances, and the assembly chamber in the southwest for auspiciousness.[21] The Legislative Assembly building includes a spiraling ramp leading to a cultural museum and viewing gallery, designed as a public “void” to foster civic engagement.[22] The Secretariat buildings, arranged symmetrically around the assembly, incorporate cultural elements, with one roof shaped like an ‘A’ symbolizing Amaravati.[21] The design includes two major parks, a convention center, and statues of N. T. Rama Rao and B. R. Ambedkar, as proposed by Naidu[23] . It draws inspiration from global capitals like Washington, D.C., and Brasília.[17] The design prioritizes sustainability, incorporating solar panels, green roofs, and advanced waste management systems to achieve carbon neutrality. [24] The Secretariat comprises five iconic towers, with the tallest reaching 50 floors and remaining HoD towers shall be of 42 floors high.[25]

Construction Progress

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The project was targeted for completion by 2022, but political changes disrupted progress.[20] After winning 2019 state elections, the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) government, led by Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, proposed Andhra Pradesh Decentralisation and Inclusive Development of All Regions Act, with a three-capital model of Visakhapatnam as the executive capital, Amaravati for legislative functions, and Kurnool for judicial, halting the development of AGC.[26] Farmers who contributed land protested, citing unfulfilled compensation promises.[27] Legal disputes over land acquisition were resolved in 2024 when the Supreme Court accepted the state’s commitment to a single capital at Amaravati [20].

After the 2024 state elections, Naidu’s return as Chief Minister revived the project.[28][29] In June 2024, construction resumed with ₹15,000 crore (US$1.8 billion) allocated for phase one, including ₹4,200 crore (US$500 million) from the Central Government, $800 million from the World Bank, and ₹11,000 crore (US$1.3 billion) from HUDCO.[16] The Andhra Pradesh Capital Region Development Authority (CRDA) approved projects worth ₹24,276 crore (US$2.9 billion), prioritizing the Secretariat and iconic towers.[30] Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to relaunch the project in May 2025, with completion expected by 2027.[31]

As of June 2025, the AGC remains under construction, with progress on the Secretariat and Legislative Assembly buildings.[32] Foster + Partners continues to oversee design refinements to meet sustainability goals [24]. The World Bank has recognized the project as a model for climate-resilient urban development.[33]

Comparison of Complexes

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The IGC at Velagapudi and the AGC at Amaravati serve distinct roles. The IGC, designed for immediate functionality, features a modest, utilitarian layout with six two-story blocks.[9] In contrast, the AGC aims for global prominence, with a 1,350-acre sustainable design integrating cultural and ecological elements [24]. The IGC’s construction cost ₹750.08 crore (US$89 million), while the AGC’s budget exceeds ₹48,000 crore (US$5.7 billion), reflecting its larger scale.[34] The IGC operates as a temporary solution, while the AGC is intended to consolidate all major government functions, including the Secretariat, legislature, and judiciary.[20] The IGC at Velagapudi continues to serve as the primary administrative hub until the AGC is operational.[35]

References

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  1. ^ "Andhra Pradesh temporary Secretariat work to begin on February 12". The Deccan Chronicle. 5 February 2016. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
  2. ^ "4 AP departments move to temporary Secretariat in Amaravati". The Business Standard. Press Trust of India. 29 June 2016. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
  3. ^ Staff, T. N. M. (3 October 2016). "After months of waiting, Andhra govt officially begins work from Velagapudi secretariat". The News Minute. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
  4. ^ "Vijayawada: Secretariat in 45.12 acres area | Vijayawada: Secretariat in 45.12 acres area". www.deccanchronicle.com. 12 February 2016. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
  5. ^ "London architect to submit Amaravati design on February 22". The Indian Express. 2 February 2017. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
  6. ^ a b c "Construction workers go all out at Velagapudi". The Hindu. 4 April 2016. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
  7. ^ a b "Andhra Pradesh Secretariat starts functioning from interim government complex at Amaravati". DNA India. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
  8. ^ "Andhra Pradesh: More funds for temporary secretariat | Andhra Pradesh: More funds for temporary secretariat". www.deccanchronicle.com. 1 May 2016. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
  9. ^ a b c Prasad, J. R. (24 May 2016). "Flip-flop on interim Andhra secretariat continues". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
  10. ^ "Road map devised for shifting of secretariat from Hyderabad to Amaravati | Road map devised for shifting of secretariat from Hyderabad to Amaravati". www.deccanchronicle.com. 28 June 2016. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
  11. ^ shameen (11 February 2016). "AP govt to construct temporary secretariat in 45 acres". The Siasat Daily – Archive. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
  12. ^ ""IGC Environmental Clearance"". SEIAA Andhra Pradesh,. Retrieved 18 June 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link) CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  13. ^ "Andhra CM moves into transit headquarter at Velagapudi". The Times of India. 12 October 2016. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
  14. ^ Iyer, Lalita. "Cost of leaving". theweek.in. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
  15. ^ "Water leakage again in Secretariat buildings". The Hindu. 18 July 2017. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
  16. ^ a b "Amaravati revived: All you need to know about Andhra Pradesh's capital in making". India Today. 2 May 2025. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
  17. ^ a b "Norman Foster submits Amaravati designs". The Hindu. 23 May 2017. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
  18. ^ "PM Modi Lays Foundation Stone for Andhra Pradesh's Amaravati". www.ndtv.com. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
  19. ^ Apparasu, Srinivasa Rao (13 June 2017). "Land-on-lease offers cash but leaves no work for farmers in Andhra's Amaravati". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 18 June 2025.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  20. ^ a b c d Raghavendra, V. (25 December 2024). "After a five-year lull, Amaravati sees a dramatic turnaround in Andhra Pradesh". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
  21. ^ a b "Norman Foster Will Now Design Amravati Capitol Complex Instead Of Fumihiko Maki". worldarchitecture.org. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
  22. ^ "First Images Released of Foster + Partners Designs for Amaravati, the New Capital of Andhra Pradesh". ArchDaily. 16 May 2018. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
  23. ^ "Norman Foster submits Amaravati designs". The Hindu. 23 May 2017. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
  24. ^ a b c "Amaravati Masterplan | Projects". fp-corporatewebsite-prod.azurewebsites.net. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
  25. ^ "Amaravati reborn: Chandrababu Naidu's dream capital to get inverted lily-shaped assembly, 50-storey secretariat- details here". The Times of India. 30 April 2025. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
  26. ^ "YS Jagan Mohan Reddy-led government introduces bill in Andhra Pradesh Assembly to give shape to plan of having 3 state capitals". Firstpost. 20 January 2020. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
  27. ^ "Farmers protest Jaganmohan Reddy's three capital idea in Amaravati". BusinessLine. 19 December 2019. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
  28. ^ Nichenametla, Prasad (9 May 2025). "Why CM Naidu wants Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act amended to insert the word Amaravati". ThePrint. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
  29. ^ Rayasam, Raj (19 April 2025). "Prime Minister Narendra Modi to re-launch Amaravati works on 2 May; CRDA invites tenders for five iconic towers". The South First. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
  30. ^ Raghavendra, V. (16 December 2024). "Andhra Pradesh govt. approves works worth ₹24,276 crore in capital city of Amaravati". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
  31. ^ "Amaravati by 2027". www.thehansindia.com. 12 March 2025. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
  32. ^ M, Sambasiva Rao (25 April 2025). "Iconic Integrated Amaravati Government Complex with five towers to come up in 32 acres". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
  33. ^ Mathew, Joe (20 December 2024). "World Bank approves $800 million loan for Andhra's capital city project". Fortune India. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
  34. ^ www.ETRealty.com. "Construction of Amaravati will be completed in three years: Andhra Pradesh minister - ET RealEstate". ETRealty.com. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
  35. ^ "Amaravati capital city project comes to fore in Andhra Pradesh". Moneycontrol. Archived from the original on 24 June 2024. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
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