New Delhi/Amaravati, April 2, 2026 — In a landmark moment that puts an end to years of political uncertainty and policy flip-flops, the Lok Sabha on April 1, 2026, passed the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2026, formally recognising Amaravati as the sole and permanent capital of Andhra Pradesh.

The bill, passed by voice vote after a detailed debate, amends the 2014 Reorganisation Act to give statutory sanctity to Amaravati with effect from June 2, 2024 — the day Hyderabad ceased to be the common capital. This move effectively closes the door on any future attempts to alter the capital’s status and revives the original vision of a unified, world-class capital city on the banks of the Krishna River.

The Long Journey: From Dream to Delay and Back

Following the 2014 bifurcation that carved out Telangana, Hyderabad served as the common capital for ten years. The Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014, required the residual state to develop its own capital. In 2015, under Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, the TDP government selected Amaravati as the greenfield capital. Thousands of farmers from the region made an extraordinary sacrifice, pooling over 33,000 acres of fertile land under a voluntary land-pooling scheme, believing in Naidu’s dream of building a modern, sustainable “people’s capital” (Praja Rajadhani) inspired by global standards.

Development picked up pace with master plans, infrastructure projects, and international interest. However, after the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) came to power in 2019 under Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, the government abruptly shifted to a controversial three-capitals formula — Amaravati as legislative capital, Visakhapatnam as executive capital, and Kurnool as judicial capital. This decision triggered massive protests by Amaravati farmers, who felt betrayed after surrendering their lands. The proposal led to legal battles and brought capital development to a near standstill for five years.

Naidu’s Return and Decisive Action

The 2024 Assembly elections brought the TDP-led NDA alliance back to power, with Chandrababu Naidu returning as Chief Minister. The government swiftly recommitted to the One State, One Capital policy. On March 28, 2026, the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly passed a unanimous resolution urging the Centre to amend the Reorganisation Act and grant legal recognition to Amaravati.

The Centre responded by introducing the Amendment Bill in the Lok Sabha on April 1, 2026, through Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai. The bill replaces ambiguous wording in Section 5 of the 2014 Act with a clear declaration: “Amaravati shall be the new capital.”

Cross-Party Support and Emotional Scenes

The bill received broad support in the Lok Sabha from the NDA, Congress, and other parties, reflecting a rare consensus on providing clarity and stability to Andhra Pradesh. The YSRCP members, however, staged a walkout in protest, reiterating their reservations about the single-capital model and raising concerns over implementation and farmers’ issues.

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu described the passage as a “historic and deeply emotional moment” for the state. He thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Union Government, and leaders across parties for their support, calling it a victory for the aspirations of five crore people of Andhra Pradesh and a fitting tribute to the farmers’ sacrifices.

His son and Cabinet Minister Nara Lokesh was visibly moved while watching the proceedings. In an emotional social media post, Lokesh wrote: “This is not just a city. This is the sacrifice of thousands of farmers. This is a dream built on trust, tears, and resilience. Amaravati, the capital of the Gods, has endured every storm… Your sacrifice has made Amaravati immortal.”

Union Minister and TDP leader Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar termed it a “watershed moment” that would restore investor confidence and accelerate stalled projects worth thousands of crores.

What Lies Ahead

The bill will now proceed to the Rajya Sabha for consideration and is expected to be taken up shortly. Once passed by both Houses and receiving Presidential assent, it will become law, providing irreversible legal protection to Amaravati as the state’s only capital.

This development is expected to:

• Boost investor sentiment and unlock pending infrastructure projects in the Amaravati capital region.
• Bring long-awaited closure and hope to farmers who participated in the land-pooling scheme.
• Enable focused development of a single, integrated capital city rather than fragmented infrastructure across multiple locations.
• Strengthen governance efficiency by ending the decade-long uncertainty since bifurcation.

While political differences remain, the passage in the Lok Sabha marks a significant step towards fulfilling the original promise made to the people of Andhra Pradesh in 2015. The focus now shifts from debate to development, as Amaravati prepares to take its rightful place as the proud and permanent capital of the state.