From Our Correspondent
Visakhapatnam: Land acquisition for the proposed Google data center at Tarluvada in Anandapuram mandal, Bheemili constituency, is moving quickly, with the Andhra Pradesh government raising land registration values to improve compensation for farmers. The rate has been increased to ₹20 lakh per acre, prompting many landowners to voluntarily come forward. Despite attempts by some groups to obstruct the process, over 60% of farmers have already submitted consent letters.
A large number of farmers attended a meeting on November 20 at the Visakhapatnam Circuit House, where MLA Ganta Srinivasa Rao and Collector M.N. Harendhira Prasad explained the revised benefits. Notably, former Tarluvada sarpanch Mazji Venkata Rao—father of YSRCP MPP Mazji Sharada—also attended and submitted his consent. Compensation for those who have handed over land will begin reaching bank accounts from Saturday.
The government is allocating 308.657 acres to Google under an APIIC industrial park. Of this, around 204 acres include D-Patta and unrecorded Shivaijamindar lands. Initially, registration values were set at ₹17 lakh per acre for D-Patta lands and ₹8.5 lakh for unrecorded lands. After farmer requests, rates were revised to ₹20 lakh and ₹10 lakh per acre respectively. Farmers will also receive 20 cents of land nearby for every acre given, along with compensation for the remaining 80 cents.
In addition, land-contributing families will be allotted 3 cents of house site land, and commercial facilities will be developed for those who lose livelihood due to loss of farmland. Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has approved these measures. Farmers have requested that house-site allotment be increased to 5 cents, and that earlier contributors to school and skill-center plots receive justice. MLA Ganta said these demands would be taken to the Chief Minister.
During the meeting, some farmers reported that brokers were approaching them with misleading offers—promising developed land and cash advances to dissuade them from giving land to the government. Officials said complaints had already been filed. MLA Ganta instructed police to act against anyone attempting to mislead or pressure farmers, stating that such efforts would not be tolerated.