The delay in finalizing tenders was due to the directives of the Election Commission (EC), which allowed tenders to be invited but prohibited their confirmation until the electoral process was completed

Metro India News | AMARAVATI

In a significant development for the long-awaited construction of Amaravati, the Andhra Pradesh government has announced that work on the state capital will commence on March 15. Officials have revealed that from the first week of April, approximately 30,000 workers will be engaged in various construction activities in Amaravati.

The delay in finalizing tenders was due to the directives of the Election Commission (EC), which allowed tenders to be invited but prohibited their confirmation until the electoral process was completed. As of now, the Capital Region Development Authority (CRDA) and Andhra Pradesh Township and Infrastructure Development Corporation (AP-TIDCO) have invited tenders for nearly 62 projects, valued at approximately Rs.40,000 crore. An additional 11 projects are expected to be tendered soon.

After assuming office, the coalition government prioritized the construction of Amaravati as a key project. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, along with Minister Narayana, personally inspected the stalled projects in Amaravati. Following their visit, expert teams from IIT Chennai and IIT Hyderabad conducted a detailed study of the structural integrity of iconic buildings such as the Secretariat and Assembly. The IIT teams concluded that the structures were robust and free from any major risks.

Further reports confirmed that MLA and MLC quarters, as well as IAS and IPS residential buildings, were structurally sound. With this assurance, the government is set to launch the 62 approved projects starting March 15, while tenders for the remaining 11 projects will be finalized soon. The administration has set a target to complete all major works within two and a half years.

The government has also taken measures to clear obstacles in the construction zones, including the removal of overgrown vegetation and jungle clearance in Amaravati. These steps will ensure that work progresses without any hindrances. The CRDA and AP-TIDCO have been actively managing the tendering process, and it is anticipated that the remaining tenders will be issued soon. However, sources indicate that this process might extend beyond the upcoming Krishna-Guntur Graduates' MLC elections.

Previously, the Election Commission had clarified that it had no objections to the commencement of construction in Amaravati but had advised the government to defer the tender finalization until after the elections. With the government now moving ahead with the development plans, the long-pending construction of the state capital is finally set to gain momentum.