Andhra Pradesh today stands at a critical juncture where long-term vision must be balanced with immediate, inclusive action.
While the government’s ambition to build Amaravati as a world-class capital is understandable, its overwhelming focus on this single region — at the expense of others — is creating an increasingly dangerous perception among the public and investors alike.
A growing number of people across the state are already beginning to feel sidelined, believing that the government has adopted a single-point agenda focused on developing Amaravati for the benefit of a specific community and vested real estate interests.
Repeating the Mistakes of the Past
This very perception played a key role in the government’s significant electoral setback in its previous term.
The belief that public funds and policy were being disproportionately used to benefit a narrow section of people, particularly in and around Amaravati, eroded public trust.
Today, the same perception is fast gaining momentum again — fueled by decisions such as proposing major projects like the new international cricket stadium in Amaravati, while long-promised projects in other regions remain in limbo.
For example, Visakhapatnam — a city frequently cited by the government as a future tourism and economic hub—still awaits progress on several critical infrastructure projects, including the Metro Rail, Beach Corridor, and road connectivity to its growing airport.
These were initiatives that had once been announced with great fanfare, yet now lie dormant. In contrast, similar proposals in Amaravati are receiving active support, reinforcing the belief that development is being guided not by strategy or regional needs, but by proximity to power and real estate interests.
Visakhapatnam: A Symbol, Not a Demand
Visakhapatnam is highlighted here not out of regional bias, but as a symbol of broader neglect. With a thriving port, industrial base, tourism potential, and status as one of NITI Aayog’s top six economic growth cities, Vizag represents the kind of region that should be at the forefront of state investment.
Yet its sidelining only highlights the larger issue — that many regions across Andhra Pradesh feel ignored and left behind.
Economic Risks of a One-City Strategy
In the current global economic climate — characterized by stagnant job markets, inflation, and slow wage growth—centralized development is not just inefficient, it’s risky.
Overloading a single region with resources while ignoring others creates urban congestion, weakens infrastructure, and decreases quality of life. More critically, it builds resentment and undermines confidence in the government’s vision.
Worse still, the perception that development is being carried out to serve a narrow real estate agenda creates an environment of political instability. And political instability is the biggest deterrent to new investment.
No business or investor wants to enter a state where policies appear to favor a few and the political landscape could shift abruptly due to growing public dissatisfaction.
The Case for Balanced, Inclusive Development
Successful economies around the world — from Germany’s multi-city model to states like Karnataka and Maharashtra — have proven that distributed, multi-nodal development builds economic resilience, attracts investment, and improves quality of life for everyone.
Andhra Pradesh has the opportunity to follow suit by focusing not only on Amaravati, but also on regions like Tirupati, Kurnool, Rajahmundry, and Visakhapatnam—each of which has unique strengths and strategic potential.
A Stable Government Requires Statewide Trust
Andhra Pradesh needs a stable government for the next decade to realize its developmental goals. But stability doesn’t come just from leadership — it comes from widespread trust.
If people in other regions feel neglected, the political narrative will shift rapidly, just as it did last time. The absence of a strong opposition today should not be mistaken for a guarantee of continued support tomorrow.
Conclusion: Build the State, Not Just a Capital
The dream of Amaravati can still be realized — but not at the cost of ignoring the rest of the state. A capital cannot flourish while the rest of the state feels abandoned. Public perception matters, and the current trajectory is rebuilding a perception of partiality, exclusion, and political favoritism.
The government must act now — not just to protect its own stability, but to genuinely empower every corner of Andhra Pradesh. That means reviving stalled projects, distributing investment more evenly, and building infrastructure that benefits all.
Only through balanced, inclusive development can Andhra Pradesh truly rise — and only then will the dream of a stable, prosperous state become a reality for all its people.
Raghu Gottumukkala