Vijayawada: Union Urban Development minister Venkaiah Naidu said on Sunday that Centre will extend all kind of support for developing the new capital of Andhra Pradesh around Vijayawada.

Addressing a gathering while unveiling the statue of freedom fighter and designer of the Tricolour Pingali Venkayya here, Naidu said people of Andhra Pradesh should support the government in establishing the new capital in and around Vijayawada.

The minister said he has confidence that those farmers who will relinquish their land (for developing capital), will not be forgotten and justice will be done to them as the vision of chief minister Chandrababu Naidu is to make a world class capital.

Meanwhile, heading a meeting on discussion over proposed project of Buckingham canal inland waterways system to be developed from from Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh to Pondicherry, Naidu said that the project will prove to be a boon for Andhra Pradesh.

The discussion was held to study challenges, problems and solutions for development of the inland waterways system. He said the Centre is keen to develop the inland waterways, which will reduce traffic burden on road and railways.

Chairman of National Inland Waterways Authority Amitabh Verma in his presentation at the discussion said the total length of the project is 1,078 kms, which runs from Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry and the expected cost of the project is Rs 3,200 crore.

The canal will be built across 1,450 hectare and the number of old constructions and structures on the canal like bridges have to be reconstructed for movement of vessels, and continuous supply of water also needed. He said preliminary survey, which is currently underway will be completed by March this year and a comprehensive study would be taken up later.