The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has invited bids for the construction of the six-lane, access-controlled Amaravati Outer Ring Road (ORR), dividing the project into four packages with a combined estimated project cost of ₹11,537.70 crore, all on Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM). The tenders, floated on October 2, mark a step towards creating an alternative high-capacity road around the Amaravati region.

The 27.93-km Package 1 covers the Kanchikacherla-Nandigama section. It has an estimated project cost of ₹2,975.47 crore and will form one of the western portions of the proposed ring road, connecting the Nandigama side with Kanchikacherla.

The 56-km Package 2, estimated at ₹2,864.69 crore, runs from Nandigama to Davuluru. It is the longest individual package and will cover the central stretch between the two locations, providing an important link for traffic moving around the capital region rather than through built-up areas.

The 55.80-km Package 3, costing an estimated ₹2,827.95 crore, extends from Kolavennu to Kornepadu and includes a 5.3-km spur to Narakoduru. The spur is intended to provide an additional connection to the ORR network.

The 55.50-km Package 4, estimated at ₹2,869.59 crore, covers Kornepadu to Kanchikacherla, completing the remaining major section and linking the eastern and western portions of the proposed route.

Together, the four packages account for 195.23 km, including the Narakoduru spur. Each package has a stipulated construction period of 1,095 days, or three years. Bids are to be submitted by 11 a.m. on November 18, and will be opened on November 19.

For ordinary commuters and freight operators, the ORR is expected to provide an alternative route around the Amaravati-Vijayawada-Guntur region, potentially reducing dependence on existing urban roads and improving movement between major settlements and economic centres.

The tenders have been invited to avoid procedural delays, even though the project still requires approval from the Union Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Union Minister of State for Rural Development Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar said the project was under active consideration and would be placed before the Cabinet shortly, once the Finance Department gave its approval.