As the State government is gearing up for construction of the capital city of Amaravati, various Central departments have sought allotment of around 2.53 million sft (1.076 million sft space for setting up their office buildings and another 1.453 million sft for the construction of 1,500 residential quarters) in the capital region.
Given the land constraint faced by the government, the land sought by the Centre is likely to be provided in the capital region, not in the Seed Capital Area. Headed by an officer of Chief Engineer rank, the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) employees are pursuing the proposals with the State government, according to sources.
The issue was discussed in a series of meetings convened by Capital Region Development Authority (CRDA) Commissioner N. Srikanth with the officials of State representatives of some Central departments in the last few weeks.
The buildings will be constructed by the CPWD, which has already taken up construction of the Customs Preventive Commissionerate building opposite the Gannavaram airport in the city. A large number of Central offices, including those of nodal officers of various Union Ministries will also be located in the places allocated to them in the capital region. Offices of Income Tax, India Post and many other departments will come up in the area.
The modalities of allotment of land and its development are being worked out by the officials, but clarity is still awaited from the government as to whether or not it is prepared to provide the land or lease out the built-up space. A decision will also be then taken by the CPWD on its plans.
Things are likely to take the final shape now as the capital foundation ceremony is over.
At the moment, the proposals are in discussion stage and are dependent on the land use pattern adopted for the capital region.
Already, a few Central departments such as Customs, Central Excise and Inland Waters Authority of India and Income Tax have set up their temporary head offices in Vijayawada and are looking out for space in the capital.
While the land allotment will be subject to G.O. 571 dated September 14, 2012 and CRDA regulations, the government is expected to alienate the requested land at a market value of around Rs. 23 lakh as it has done for the land given to the Customs Department earlier this year.
Land sought by the Centre may be provided in the capital region, not in the Seed Capital Area
Led by an officer of Chief Engineer’s rank, a CPWD team are pursuing the proposals
