Call for tenders likely for first Iconic Building this week

Amaravati: The state government has reportedly decided to invite online global tenders this week for construction of the first ‘iconic tower’ as part of construction of AP Secretariat in Amaravati.  

Top official sources said the AP Capital Region Development Authority (APCRDA) has been given permission to invite global tenders only for one iconic tower in which the Chie Minister Office has been designed instead of total five towers in Secretariat building.

The iconic tower will be built with 45 floors and the remaining four towers in the Secretariat will have 40 floors each. The APCRDA is working round the clock on tendering process and it is likely to invite online global tenders this week for the first iconic tower for the Chief Minster Office.

Sources said that though it was planned earlier to invite tenders for all five towers for AP Secretariat, there could be some changes due to the constraints in mobilising funds for the project of Amaravati Government Complex. According to a senior official, the Secretariat and High Court building has been planned in 5 million sq ft with an estimated cost of Rs 2,173 crore.

The CRDA has decided  to take Secretariat construction works in two phases. Under the first phase, tenders could be invited for works of Chief Minister Office. “In the first tower, for which tender would be invited likely this week, offices will be created for Chief Minister, chief secretary and some other important officials only,” the senior official said.

He also said tenders could be invited for the reaming four tower of Secretariat building later which may be based on mobilising of funds from banks. “The government will knock the doors of all commercial banks for mobilsing funds. Some banks such as Vijaya Bank, Andhra Bank agreed in principle to fund for housing project which is another component of Amaravati Government Complex,” he said.

According to information, the state government has planned Legislative Assembly in 1.2 million sq ft and High Court in 1.8 million sq.ft with an estimated cost of Rs 2,229 crore. Other projects included in the AGC are housing for MLAs, AIS and other employees and infrastructure.

The total cost estimated for iconic buildings is Rs 4,942 crore. It is estimated that Rs 3,272 crore is needed for housing project and Rs 1,773 crore for infrastructure. The government started works for housing project only and the works of iconic buildings for Secretariat, High Court and Assembly and infrastructure have not been started yet.

In the wake of political clash with the Centre and upcoming 2019 general elections, the state government has given clear directions to the APCRDA to begin Amaravati Government Complex works as soon as possible.

In a recent meeting, the Chief Minister himself said he wants “visible change” in capital city works as the government was under pressure to perform well in the wake of ongoing political tiff with the Centre.