Match-Fixing Allegations Resurface Over Amaravati Tower Contracts

The scam happening in Amaravati is no small matter. Thousands of crores worth of works are being allotted to contract companies, but there is absolutely no transparency in the process... and allegations are pouring in that the entire thing is fixed. Otherwise, how is it possible that the same companies which bagged the contracts for the Secretariat’s iconic towers in Amaravati seven years ago are again getting the same tenders now? What’s even more bizarre is that even the tower numbers haven’t changed, which clearly suggests how much of a match-fixing affair this is — according to comments being heard from official circles. Back in October 2018, CRDA officials announced that the works of the iconic towers were allotted to Shapoorji Pallonji, L&T, and NCC. At that time too — that is, in 2018 — Shapoorji Pallonji got Towers 1 and 2, L&T got Towers 3 and 4, and NCC was allotted the work for the fifth tower. Cut to June 2025, Shapoorji Pallonji has again bagged Towers 1 and 2, L&T got Towers 3 and 4, and NCC got the work for the fifth tower. This has now triggered a debate: are these really competitive tenders... or match-fixing tenders?

Looking at the whole affair, it clearly appears that a sketch was drawn up in such a way that no other companies could enter, and the works were assigned only to these predetermined firms, say government sources. These three companies have already secured other valuable works worth thousands of crores in Amaravati. Another strange point is that this same Shapoorji Pallonji firm also built the temporary Secretariat. Not only that, but in the past, a representative from Shapoorji stated that the company had paid Rs. 118 crore in bribes to then Chief Minister Chandrababu for getting these works. That case is still ongoing. The IT Department had even issued notices to Chandrababu back then. While that case is still pending, the current Chandrababu-led government has again allotted the iconic towers and other Amaravati works to Shapoorji Pallonji without any difficulty — a move that even government officials are expressing surprise over. To put it bluntly, one official commented, “This is nothing but brazen audacity.” On the other hand, there are also criticisms that the estimated cost of the Amaravati iconic towers has been arbitrarily increased, and all the companies that bagged the works have quoted in excess — which is another striking detail. Looking at the way things unfolded, it’s clear that everything was pre-planned and executed accordingly, officials affirm.