From Our Correspondent
No repeat of past hardships; key capital projects to drive land value, says Minister after meeting villagers
Amaravati: Andhra Pradesh Municipal Administration and Urban Development Minister P. Narayana on Wednesday said farmers in Vaddamanu village have expressed full support for the government’s second phase of land pooling, assuring that no farmer will face the difficulties experienced during the previous capital-development cycle.
After a meeting with farmers in Vaddamanu, located in Tullur mandal within the Amaravati capital region, Narayana told reporters that land pooling would be carried out smoothly, transparently and in consultation with local stakeholders. The government is acquiring land in the village for major capital-region infrastructure — including a railway track, railway station, international sports city and the Inner Ring Road.
“No farmer will face hardship this time”
Narayana said Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has decided to consolidate 16,666 acres through land pooling for Amaravati’s key projects. “For the capital’s farmers to see real growth in land value, projects like the international airport, sports city and smart industries must come. With the Chief Minister’s experience, these projects will move forward,” he said.
He added that all farmers present at the meeting expressed support for land pooling and none opposed it. “We will ensure none of the issues faced earlier recur. Complications in 2019 due to the change in government and court cases delayed works. We will now resolve all pending matters along with MLA Sravan Kumar and take remaining issues to the Chief Minister,” he said.
Fast-tracked development in pooled plots
The Minister announced that returnable plots for farmers would be allotted quickly and infrastructure works expedited. He directed officials to immediately take up construction of the approach road to Vaddamanu and said DPRs for infrastructure in all 29 capital villages are under preparation. “A separate DPR for Vaddamanu will also be included to accelerate development,” he said.
Narayana attributed earlier delays to both administrative decisions of the previous government and heavy rainfall, which slowed construction activity.
Farmers voluntarily hand over documents
In a symbolic gesture of support, three farmers — Maineni Satyanarayana (5 acres), Pinnaka Tarun Sai (2 acres) and Nidadavolu Shivaparvati (4 acres) — voluntarily handed over their land documents for pooling even before official notification.
Minister Narayana reiterated that resolving farmers’ concerns is the government’s responsibility and assured that land pooling will proceed with confidence-building measures and complete transparency.