Should have moved to Amaravati earlier: Chandrababu Naidu

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu today said he "repented" not having shifted his base to the state's new capital region Amaravati immediately after taking charge in June 2014. For a year since assuming office, Naidu operated from Hyderabad, the joint capital of AP and Telangana, and moved base to Vijayawada last June after a temporary office building was constructed there. Amaravati was chosen as the new capital in September 2014. "I should have shifted to Vijayawada straightaway and started working from under the trees or tents. Had I moved here then itself, everyone would have followed. I am repenting now," Naidu said. His remark came to a question at a press conference on the shifting of government departments from Hyderabad to Amaravati by mid-June. "It is bound to happen ... may be in the third or fourth week (of June). But, there is a suggestion that we move all departments and other offices in one grand (move), not in a phased manner as planned. We are looking into it," he said. "My main concern is about the academic year. We can't afford losing one more year if employees don't shift from Hyderabad in June. I am discussing this with all concerned and will take a call," the Chief Minister added. Referring to the apprehensions raised by employees over lack of proper facilities at Velagapudi where the state government transitional headquarters is coming up, he said some problems were bound to be there initially.