CRDA Calls for Bids in Amaravati, But Is the Land Allotment Already Decided?

Andhra Pradesh Capital Region Development Authority (APCRDA) has recently issued a notification inviting organizations from various sectors to Amaravati. This includes cinema and TV production companies. Along with these, the notification also invites expressions of interest to start businesses like digital media innovators and media educational institutions. They have also called for investments in Amaravati from institutions like medical colleges, biotech companies, wellness centers, and integrated healthcare providers. Additionally, the co-working industry — which provides space for people from different companies to work together at one location — is also being encouraged. In this context, developers, operators, investors, and technology partners have been invited. According to the notification issued by the CRDA Commissioner, interested companies can submit their bids by June 24. However, with the concern that allocating land in Amaravati only to selected TV companies might draw criticism, this notification was issued following a planned approach. Officials state that calling for bids and then allotting lands in Amaravati under this model will avoid future problems.

The same government had earlier allowed selected companies to take up power projects without any bidding process — merely by submitting applications. It is well known that all those companies belonged to those in power. But now, issuing a notification and proceeding accordingly is being seen as an attempt to avoid legal complications. There is talk that the matter of who will be allotted land has already been finalized unofficially, and this process is merely a formality — as revealed by a senior IAS officer. However, he added that only after these names come out in public, the real situation will be known. Incidentally, Amaravati’s original master plan also includes a media city.