The future Andhra Pradesh capital’s notified liquor vends received a huge number of applications from traders, who sniff a windfall in the air.

The new capital region of Amaravati is all set to become a tippler’s paradise with traders vying to file a record number of applications for liquor vends. According to an estimate, each outlet allotted to the 29 villages in the capital notified area, attracted not less than 50 applications on an average.

With these villages being classified as panchayats, many traders saw them as a juicy proposition: there’s fees is less and the people have money in their pocket.

“Investors expect a surge of workers into the capital region in the next two years once construction picks up pace. Therefore the frenzy for bagging a liquor outlet in capital region. One vend at Lemalle on Amaravati road received 284 applications,” said Nagaraju, a liquor trader.

Guntur district as a whole received a record 11,550 application for the 307 private outlets on offer.

Other traders attributed the booze rush to the lull in real estate. “Many land owners and realtors made money in the capital area. But because of the present lull in the market, they think liquor is a good parking lot. The simple application procedure also encouraged many first-timers to try their luck,’’ said Rayala Subba Rao, state president of the Wine Dealers Association.

Excise officials said they were taken aback by the rush of applications for the Amaravati vends. As the drawal of lots for the winning applications dragged on, Deputy Commissioner C. Adiseshu said, “The process is likely to go on till Tuesday morning.”

Mr. Adiseshu said the rush of applications was anticipated due to the proximity to the new capital region.

The Excise and Prohibition Department netted Rs. 35 crore just by selling applications in Guntur district. A surge of applicants on Saturday forced the department to burn the midnight oil and accept applications into the early hours of Sunday. One liquor outlet at Nadikudi village in Dachepalli mandal, which once received a bid of Rs.5.4 crore under the old excise policy, received an astounding 354 applications this year, followed by Lemalle (284) and Adigoppula (248).

Guntur Collector Kantilal Dande commenced the draw of lots at the Sri Venkateswara Vignana Mandiram According to the guidelines, the winner in the draw of lots has to pay one-third of the licence fees on the spot. A special State Bank of India counter has been set up for the deposit.