For the first time, Republic Day celebrations took place in Amaravati, the capital of Andhra Pradesh. Governor S. Abdul Nazeer hoisted the national flag at the official ceremony marking the 77th Republic Day celebrations. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, ministers, high court judges, and farmers who contributed land for the capital city project attended as guests.
At the event near the High Court building, the Governor saluted 11 contingents including the Indian Army, AP Special Police, CRPF, Kerala Armed Police, NCC, Bharat Scouts and Guides, Youth Red Cross, and other organizations. The celebrations featured 22 tableaux showcasing various development and welfare initiatives of the state government. Programs like Zero Poverty, Population Management, Skilling and Employment, Water Security, and others were highlighted through the tableaux.
Since the division of Andhra Pradesh in 2014, Republic Day celebrations have been held in Vijayawada, where the Governor resides. This year, the celebrations were in Amaravati, coinciding with ongoing capital city development works. A Bill is set to be introduced in the upcoming Budget session of Parliament to grant statutory status to Amaravati as Andhra Pradesh’s permanent capital.
The TDP-led NDA government resumed capital development works last year after a period of uncertainty caused by the proposal of three state capitals by the previous YSR Congress Party government. Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, who initiated the Amaravati project during his earlier term, has accelerated construction works. He announced that the second phase of Amaravati’s development will begin soon during a TDP Parliamentary Party meeting.
