Amaravati Eye became the tallest observation wheel in India

A capsule of the Amaravati Eye, a giant observation wheel designed on the banks of the Krishna River in the Andhra Pradesh capital.

Amaravati is set to get what is expected to be the tallest observation wheel in India, surpassing the iconic London Eye. The ‘Amaravati Eye’, proposed at a height of 139 metres, is considered to be a major tourist and entertainment attraction that will enhance the identity of the capital city while boosting tourism, economic activity and destination branding.

Amaravati Eye, a giant observation wheel designed on the banks of the Krishna River in the Andhra Pradesh capital.

According to the techno-economic feasibility report prepared for Amaravati Growth and Infrastructure Corporation Limited (AGICL), available on AP’s e-Procurement portal, the project will be developed on a five-acre waterfront under a Design-Build-Finance-Operate-Transfer (DBFOT) public-private partnership model with a concession period of 30 years. An additional acre may be allocated for commercial development to increase the viability of the project.

The location of the Amaravati Eye, a giant observation wheel designed on the banks of the Krishna River in the Andhra Pradesh capital. Photo:

The observation wheel will have a diameter of 128 meters and will contain 28 air-conditioned, mechanically stabilized capsules. Each capsule holds 20 passengers with a maximum capacity of 25. A complete turn, including boarding and disembarking, takes about 27 minutes. The wheel is designed for a life of 30 years or 300,000 operating cycles and is expected to operate up to 14 hours per day with an annual reliability target of 95%.

The project will include a 2,000 square meter elevated terminal building that will house ticketing counters, control rooms, retail outlets, food courts and a wedding chapel. Plans also call for a waterfront entertainment zone with dining, retail and event space. The structure will rest on four pile caps supported by 48 reinforced concrete piles, each 1.2 meters in diameter and extending 30 meters below ground level. Construction and safety systems will comply with 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 at ₹66 crore. The remaining expenditure will cover mechanical systems, passenger cabins, electrical controls and civil works. Construction is expected to be completed within 12 months of commencement.

The report estimates first year ticket revenue at around ₹30.23 crore, with total annual revenue estimated at ₹32.34 crore. While the stand-alone 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 expected to raise the IRR to 17.61%, making it more attractive to investors. Officials expect the Amaravati Eye to attract millions of visitors, create jobs, boost hospitality and retail and emerge as a distinctive landmark on India’s tourism map.

Published – 24 Jun 2026 21:07 IST