Land acquisition set to begin for key Amaravati projects

Amaravati: The Andhra Pradesh government has formally begun acquiring the remaining private lands required to complete the first phase of Amaravati, marking a decisive step to remove the last major bottlenecks delaying critical capital infrastructure. After nearly one-and-a-half years of negotiations, the government has initiated land acquisition from farmers who did not join the original Land Pooling Scheme (LPS), even as more landowners continue to voluntarily opt for pooling.

Around 2,400 acres remain outside the pooling process across the Capital Region, including about 494 acres involving nearly 500 farmers. Of this, 884.24 acres required for trunk roads, LPS infrastructure and flood management works have already been notified through 24 land acquisition notifications, followed by Gram Sabhas and statutory proceedings. Award enquiries in Undavalli and Rayapudi have been completed and compensation awards are expected shortly, while notices will now be issued village-wise in the remaining areas.The most critical acquisition relates to just 12.57 acres needed to complete the long-delayed 21-km Seed Access Road, Amaravati's principal arterial corridor. Though nearly 35,000 farmers joined land pooling, these small parcels in Undavalli, Penumaka, Mandadam and Rayapudi have prevented completion of the road for over a decade.

According to APCRDA officials, the fresh acquisition became necessary after repeated efforts to secure voluntary participation failed. However, since land acquisition notices were issued, another 200 acres have been voluntarily brought under land pooling, including 130 acres in already-notified villages and 70 acres in areas yet to receive notifications. Officials said more farmers are approaching the government as the award process progresses. However, the farmers opposing pooling have consistently argued that Penumaka and Undavalli lands, located close to the National Highway and Vijayawada, command far higher market values than agricultural lands in other capital villages.

They have maintained that the compensation and returnable plots offered under the common Land Pooling Scheme do not adequately reflect the premium value of their properties.

But the government sources argued that the appreciation in land values itself is largely because Amaravati was chosen as the state capital and maintain that the Land Pooling Scheme provides significantly higher long-term returns than compulsory acquisition through developed residential and commercial plots. That way, farmers receive developed residential and commercial returnable plots instead of cash compensation.

Nevertheless, acquisition proceedings are now being carried out under the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013, while the government has reiterated that it remains open to suspending acquisition if the remaining landowners voluntarily join the pooling scheme.

Meanwhile, Amaravati's construction has entered an advanced phase. All 35 Ministers' residential quarters, built over 26.9 acres with a total built-up area of 2.79 lakh sq ft, are nearing completion and will soon be handed over to the General Administration Department. Municipal Administration Minister P Narayana said officer housing is also being completed in phases, while the first structural phase of the iconic Government Administration Towers is targeted for completion by August 15.