Amaravati Eye set to become India’s tallest observation wheel
Amaravati is set to get what is expected to be India’s tallest observation wheel, surpassing the iconic London Eye. Proposed at a height of 139
Amaravati is set to get what is expected to be India’s tallest observation wheel, surpassing the iconic London Eye. Proposed at a height of 139 metres, the ‘Amaravati Eye’ is envisioned as a landmark tourism and entertainment attraction that will strengthen the capital city’s identity while boosting tourism, economic activity and destination branding. According to the techno-economic feasibility report prepared for Amaravati Growth and Infrastructure Corporation Limited (AGICL), which is available on the AP e-Procurement portal, the project will be developed on a five-acre riverfront site under a Design-Build-Finance-Operate-Transfer (DBFOT) public-private partnership model with a concession period of 30 years.
An additional acre may be allotted for commercial development to enhance the project’s viability. The observation wheel will have a diameter of 128 metres and feature 28 air-conditioned, mechanically stabilised capsules. Each capsule will accommodate 20 passengers, with a maximum capacity of 25. A complete rotation, including boarding and disembarkation, will take about 27 minutes. Designed for a service life of 30 years or 300,000 operating cycles, the wheel is expected to operate for up to 14 hours a day with an annual reliability target of 95%. The project will include a 2,000-square-metre elevated terminal building housing ticketing counters, control rooms, retail outlets, food courts and a wedding chapel.
Plans also envisage a waterfront entertainment precinct with dining, retail and event spaces. The structure will rest on four pile caps supported by 48 reinforced concrete piles, each measuring 1.2 metres in diameter and extending 30 metres below ground level. The design and safety systems will conform to international standards, including EN 13814, Eurocode 3, ASTM 2291 and ISO 13849. The steel structure, including the wheel, spokes, hub and A-frame support legs, is estimated to cost ₹66 crore. The remaining expenditure will cover mechanical systems, passenger capsules, electrical controls and civil works. Construction is expected to be completed within 12 months of commencement.
The report estimates first-year ticket revenue at about ₹30.23 crore, with total annual revenue projected at ₹32.34 crore. While the standalone project is expected to generate a pre-tax internal rate of return (IRR) of 16.41% over the 30-year concession period, the addition of commercial development is projected to raise the IRR to 17.61%, improving investor attractiveness. Officials expect the Amaravati Eye to draw millions of visitors, generate employment, stimulate the hospitality and retail sectors, and emerge as a signature landmark on India’s tourism map.
The BriefWire