AP Minister outlines plan to turn Amaravati, Vizag, Tirupati into mega-cities

Municipal Administration and Urban Development Minister Ponguru Narayana stated on Saturday that the Andhra Pradesh government is working to develop Amaravati, Visakhapatnam, and Tirupati as mega-cities. The initiative, he said, focuses on transparent governance, investment promotion, infrastructure development, and creating a favourable environment for residents.

The minister was speaking after visiting stalls at the CREDAI Tirupati Property Expo 2026, held at Sree Convention Centre in Tirupati. Addressing the media, he described Tirupati as one of the state's rapidly growing cities. He highlighted its spiritual tourism hubs, educational institutions, healthcare centres, industries, improved road connectivity, and airport as key assets.

"Tirupati is emerging as a favourable hub for development," Mr. Narayana said. He also emphasised the progress of Amaravati, the proposed capital of Andhra Pradesh. "Works on Amaravati are progressing at a fast pace. If the capital city develops, the surrounding regions will also experience economic growth," he added.

The minister called on the real estate sector to contribute to the government's goals, including housing and infrastructure. He said the government had introduced key reforms to restore the realty sector's previous strength. These efforts, he said, include streamlining building approvals, reducing bureaucratic hurdles, and enhancing transparency in the approval process.

"We have also implemented a free-sand policy, which has fostered growth in the construction industry," he said. The minister detailed specific changes: a self-declaration system for buildings up to 15 metres in height removes the need for prior permission. Authority to issue approvals has been delegated to Licensed Technical Personnel, engineers, and architects. For buildings with more than 10 floors, approvals are issued within 72 hours.

In addition, the government has reduced setback requirements for construction and allowed balconies for non-high-rise buildings. Concessions are being offered to projects that adopt green building concepts, Mr. Narayana said.

The minister noted that the government is also focusing on the development of other cities alongside Amaravati. This approach, he said, aims to ensure balanced regional growth across the state.

Property expos such as the one in Tirupati are organised by industry bodies like CREDAI to showcase residential and commercial projects. The minister's remarks come at a time when Andhra Pradesh is working on multiple urban infrastructure projects, with Amaravati as a central focus. He expressed confidence that the ongoing reforms would attract investment and accelerate construction activity in the state.