Amaravati Development Work to Gain Momentum Soon

Amaravati (Journalist File ) : The development of Amaravati, the capital of Andhra Pradesh, is set to progress as obstacles related to old tenders are cleared. Minister for Municipal Administration and Urban Development, P. Narayana, announced on Monday that the process of inviting new tenders will begin shortly, with the aim of completing all development works in the next three years.

Speaking to reporters at the State Secretariat after the 39th CRDA (Capital Region Development Authority) meeting chaired by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Narayana stated that several decisions were made concerning the development projects in Amaravati. He revealed that tenders worth approximately ₹41,000 crore were invited between 2014 and 2019, with around ₹35,000 crore worth of works initiated during that period. These projects include the construction of the High Court and Assembly buildings, major roads, and residential complexes for judges, ministers, and officials.

Narayana criticized the previous government's lack of commitment to these projects, particularly their focus on the idea of three capitals, which led to negligence in Amaravati's development. He noted that many contracting agencies had been left unpaid, accumulating substantial arrears for the works they had completed.

To address the issues related to the old tenders and to pave the way for new ones, the government established a technical committee consisting of chief engineers on July 24. This committee submitted a report with 23 recommendations on October 29, which was thoroughly discussed and approved in the recent CRDA meeting. According to the minister, tenders for all old projects will be closed, and new tenders will be called for remaining works by December 31 for all but the High Court and Assembly buildings, which will see tenders issued by January.

Narayana expressed optimism that, within the next five years, Amaravati will be ranked among the top five cities globally, reiterating the commitment to complete all development projects within three years.

In a related development, the World Bank has agreed to provide ₹15,000 crore for the Amaravati project, urging prompt completion of flood prevention works. The minister indicated that measures are being taken to construct reservoirs both within and outside the capital city limits. He mentioned that storage reservoirs will be designed in accordance with Dutch standards in areas such as Kondaveeti, Palavagu, Neerukonda, Krishnaipalem, Shakhamuru, and Undavalli, while bypass roads are already under construction around Amaravati. The Inner Ring Road and Outer Ring Road will also be constructed as per the earlier plans.