Centre likely to approve Amaravati common central secretariat project

Amaravati: In a major boost to the capital's development, the Centre is poised to clear a key infrastructure project—the Common Central Secretariat. The Union Urban Development Ministry has routed the Detailed Project Report (DPR) to the Union Cabinet for final approval.The Union Finance Ministry has already given in-principle approval for the ₹2,534-crore project. Of this, ₹1,299.08 crore is earmarked for the Secretariat complex and ₹1,234.91 crore for General Pool Residential Accommodation (GPRA) for central govt employees. The CRDA has allotted 22.53 acres: 5.53 acres for the Secretariat and 17 acres for residential towers.The DPR clearance follows sustained efforts by chief minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and IT minister Nara Lokesh, who have been pressing authorities in New Delhi for approvals and funding. Their follow-up with the prime minister and finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman helped break years of delay.The proposed Secretariat is envisioned as a modern, integrated complex that will house multiple central govt offices under one roof, improving coordination and administrative efficiency. It is a key component of the Amaravati master plan, which aims to develop a sustainable and world-class greenfield capital.The Central Public Works Department (CPWD) will execute the project with a focus on green construction and advanced infrastructure. Parallelly, the state government is progressing on its own Secretariat towers for Heads of Departments. "The Common Central Secretariat will spur economic activity, generate jobs and attract investments. It reflects renewed Centre–state coordination in Amaravati's growth," said TDPP leader Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu. He noted that tendering and construction will follow Cabinet approval.Union finance minister Nirmala Sitaraman recently laid the foundation for the finance district in Amaravati, where 15 central PSU banks and financial institutions are coming up. This is considered to be the first time for the Centre to approve such a project. The state govt has allocated land for all the PSU banks and the RBI regional office in Amaravati.