From Our Correspondent
Amaravati: The construction of the strategically important Seed Access Road in Amaravati received a major boost on Saturday after the Andhra Pradesh Capital Region Development Authority (CRDA) took possession of 2.77 acres of land in Undavalli, clearing a long-pending obstacle to the project.
CRDA officials acquired the land after passing the award under the Land Acquisition Act and subsequently handed over the site to the contractor, who immediately began levelling work. The land acquisition process commenced at around 9 a.m. and was completed by 1 p.m.
The acquisition, however, witnessed resistance from a section of landowners. Family members of landowner Singamsetti Anupama attempted to prevent the demolition of a temporary shed on their 0.40-acre plot by sitting in front of an excavator. Police removed the protesters to facilitate the proceedings. During the operation, a woman allegedly assaulted a woman Sub-Inspector, though the police exercised restraint and ensured the acquisition was completed without major law and order issues.
According to CRDA officials, the 2.77 acres were acquired from ten farmers who had not surrendered their land under the Amaravati Land Pooling Scheme. The government deposited ₹7.14 crore as compensation in the Rehabilitation and Resettlement (R&R) Court after the landowners refused to accept the payment.
Undavalli Unit Special Deputy Collector Chinni Krishna said compensation was calculated at ₹2.40 crore per acre, in accordance with the provisions of the Land Acquisition Act. He added that similar award notices would be issued in other notified villages to complete the remaining acquisition process for the project.
The protests also exposed divisions among those opposing the acquisition. Some affected farmers questioned the absence of political leaders and supporters who had earlier assured them of backing. A local YSRCP leader who visited the site faced criticism from farmers, who expressed disappointment that promised support had not materialised during the acquisition process.
The Seed Access Road is one of Amaravati’s key infrastructure projects, designed to provide high-speed connectivity to the capital city and improve access from the national highway network. Completion of the remaining land acquisition is expected to accelerate construction of the corridor.
Jagan Condemns Land Acquisition
Meanwhile, YSR Congress Party president and former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy criticised the land acquisition process in Undavalli, alleging that the government was using force against farmers.
In a post on X on Saturday, Jagan said land for the capital should be acquired only if farmers were willing to part with it voluntarily. “Using the police, destroying standing crops and forcibly taking away farmers’ land is completely unacceptable,” he said.
He alleged that the government had deployed police and bulldozers without addressing the concerns of the affected farmers and demanded that the alleged forcible acquisition in Amaravati be stopped immediately. Jagan also sought compensation for crops that were damaged during the operation and asserted that the YSRCP would stand by the affected farmers in their fight to protect their rights.