Supreme Court Stays Andhra Pradesh HC's March Order, Directs State To Develop Amaravati As Capital

Supreme Court issues notice on a plea of the Andhra Pradesh government challenging the judgment of the HC declaring Amaravati as the only capital of the State

In a blow to the ruling YSRCP government in Andhra Pradesh to have three capitals, Supreme Court Monday stayed the Andhra High Court's March order in which it had directed the state to implement the Amaravati masterplan and all development activities to continue in the region. On the same lines, the apex has also directed the state to develop Amaravati as a capital for the state.

In a tweet, news agency ANI said, "Supreme Court issues notice on a plea of Andhra Pradesh government challenging the judgment of the HC declaring Amaravati as the only capital of the State. Supreme Court also stays the March 3 directions of the High Court to complete the construction work for the capital in six months."

As reported earlier, the Andhra Pradesh government in September filed a petition in the Supreme Court seeking a stay on the High Court's verdict declaring Amaravati as the only capital city. The Andhra High Court had stalled the three-capital plan stating that the state legislature lacked the competence to make any legislation for shifting, bifurcating or trifurcating the capital.

As per reports, the high court on March 3 had directed the state government to develop the Capital city and the Capital region within six months. According to the government, the move to decentralize its governance and trifurcation of capitals is one of the milestones in pursuit of its commitment towards the people.