The Sivaramakrishnan Committee appointed by the Centre to facilitate identification of site for creation of new capital in Andhra Pradesh will hold meetings with the State Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday to discuss various options.

The meeting assumes importance in the backdrop of the State clearly specifying its interest to set up the capital between Vijayawada and Guntur cities as it is suitable for the new capital and has necessary support infrastructure including rail junction, river, airport and four lane roads.

While the committee mandate is to give options for new capital based on its assessment of infrastructure in the State, it is the prerogative of the State to decide where the capital can be located, according to Chief Minister.

A senior official of the Government said that several expert agencies have approached the State to be associated with the formation of the new capital. Experts from Malaysia and Singapore have also evinced interest to be part of the capital development.

Global consultancy services provide McKinsey & Company has also expressed its interest to be part of the development of the capital in the residual State of AP.

The State Municipal Administration and Urban Development Minister, P.Narayana, who is heading the committee on facilitating the creation of the new capital, with several industrialists and its members, has indicated that the capital requires about 20,000 acres, which can be acquired over the next three months as major part of the land is available with the State.

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