Capital Infrastructure
APCRDA Plans Integrated Underground Utility Corridor for Pole-Free Amaravati
The greenfield capital of Andhra Pradesh, Amaravati, is implementing an integrated common utility corridor system that places all power lines, optical fibre, water, gas, sewage and other utilities completely underground, eliminating overhead poles and wires while ensuring cleaner looks, unobstructed roads and infrastructure resilient to cyclones and extreme weather.
| Policy Status | Overhead utility poles are not permitted by the government at the planning level itself in Amaravati. |
|---|---|
| Infrastructure Scope | The city is being developed with large underground utility ducts and tunnels, allowing electricity, telecom, water, and other utility networks to run below ground, ensuring future utility cables can be laid through these ducts without installing new overhead poles. |
| Cabinet Approval (Nov 2025) | The Andhra Pradesh Cabinet approved a Rs 90 billion infrastructure expansion plan for Amaravati Capital City, including administrative approval to invite tenders worth Rs 18.63 billion for construction of roads, drainage systems, water supply, sewerage, utility ducts, ICT infrastructure, recycled water pipelines, sewage treatment plants (STPs), and avenue plantations. |
| Coverage Zones | The works will cover the land pooling zones of Krishnayyapalem, Venkatayapalem, Penumaka, and Undavalli under APCRDA. |
| Government Leadership | Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu is working on the principle of developing Amaravati as the futuristic and effective capital of the state. |
| Design Inspiration | This model is inspired by cities in Singapore and the Middle East and emphasises long-term urban planning crucial for a futuristic city like Amaravati. |
| Power Infrastructure Timeline | Andhra Pradesh's Minister Nara Lokesh announced that world-class underground power infrastructure is being rapidly developed, with moving high-tension power lines underground significantly enhancing reliability, safety, and aesthetic appeal. |
| Defects Liability | The works include a two-year defects liability period. |
What the Plan Encompasses
Amaravati's integrated common utility corridor system will place all power lines, optical fibre, water, gas, sewage and other utilities completely underground. The city is being developed with large underground utility ducts and tunnels, allowing electricity, telecom, water, and other utility networks to run below ground. This ensures long-term maintainability and future expansion without adding surface-level infrastructure.
Why This Matters for Amaravati
This approach eliminates overhead poles and wires, ensuring cleaner looks, unobstructed roads and infrastructure that can take on cyclones and extreme weather. In Amaravati, overhead utility poles are not permitted by the government at the planning level itself. This positions Amaravati as India's first capital city built without overhead poles from inception, differentiating it from existing urban centres where pole removal is retrofitted.
Cabinet Action and Tender Details
The Andhra Pradesh Cabinet has approved a Rs 90 billion infrastructure expansion plan for Amaravati Capital City, marking a major step towards reviving long-pending development projects through key financial sanctions and policy reforms. A central decision is the administrative approval to invite tenders worth Rs 18.63 billion on a lump-sum contract basis for construction of roads, drainage systems, water supply, sewerage, utility ducts, ICT infrastructure, recycled water pipelines, sewage treatment plants (STPs), and avenue plantations in the land pooling zones of Krishnayyapalem, Venkatayapalem, Penumaka, and Undavalli.
Government Leadership and Vision
Andhra Pradesh's Minister for Human Resources Development, Information Technology, and Real Time Governance, Nara Lokesh, announced that world-class underground power infrastructure is being rapidly developed, with moving high-tension power lines underground significantly enhancing reliability, safety, and aesthetic appeal. Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu is working on the principle of developing Amaravati as the futuristic and effective capital of the state.
What Happens Next
The CM emphasised completion of trunk infrastructure by 2027 and instructed CRDA to finalise tenders for additional packages worth Rs 15,000 crore. Chandrababu Naidu recently expressed confidence that the development works will be completed by March 2028, claiming that Amaravati will be built to be a source of pride for all of India. The underground utility corridor is a foundation for the broader capital development; all subsequent commercial, residential and government zone development will interface with these buried systems.
Frequently asked questions
What does 'pole-free' mean for Amaravati?
Overhead utility poles are not permitted by the government at the planning level itself. The city is being developed with large underground utility ducts and tunnels, allowing electricity, telecom, water, and other utility networks to run below ground.
How much is the government investing in this corridor system?
The Andhra Pradesh Cabinet approved a Rs 90 billion infrastructure expansion plan, with Rs 18.63 billion allocated for tenders covering roads, drainage, water supply, sewerage, utility ducts, ICT infrastructure, recycled water pipelines, and sewage treatment plants.
Which areas will the underground utility corridor cover first?
The works will cover the land pooling zones of Krishnayyapalem, Venkatayapalem, Penumaka, and Undavalli under APCRDA.
When will this infrastructure be completed?
The CM emphasised completion of trunk infrastructure by 2027, with overall development works targeted for completion by March 2028.
Is this design approach unique?
This model is inspired by cities in Singapore and the Middle East and emphasises long-term urban planning crucial for a futuristic city like Amaravati.
What advantage does this provide for natural disasters?
This approach eliminates overhead poles and wires, ensuring infrastructure that can take on cyclones and extreme weather.
Sources
- Amaravati: India's First Pole-Free Capital City!
- Andhra Clears Rs 90 Billion Plan To Revive Amaravati City Works
- Amaravati: World-Class Underground Power Infrastructure Underway
- CM Chandrababu Naidu Reviews Amaravati Capital Construction Progress
- Andhra Pradesh CM holds high-level review of ongoing capital city construction works