CRDA sets wheels in motion

Guntur: The Capital Region Development Authority (CRDA) has completed land agreements for 24,538 acres against 32,500 acres of pooled lands and is heading towards complete clearance of lands to set ground for the new capital construction. The CRDA is expecting the seed capital plan by July 15 or 20 and they are working towards completion of land agreements to get total possession over the pooled lands.

The CRDA had earlier decided to implement the Land Acquisition Act from July 10 but fearing protests from farmers, the authority decided to continue with LPS for a few more days and the officials have been meeting the farmers personally to convince them about LPS.

Officials of CRDA say that the anti-LPS mindset of some sections of the society in the capital region villages has gradually changed. The authority has set targets to complete the annuity payments and land agreements by July 15 or 20. As much as 92 per cent of land agreements in Ainavolu were completed, 90 per cent in Nelapadu and Tullur, 89 per cent in Anantavaram, 81 per cent in Krishnayapalem, 82 per cent in Dondapadu, 80 per cent in Rayapudi, Lingayapalem and Mandadam. Similarly, 78 per cent land agreements were completed in Borupalem, 75 per cent in Nekkallu and Kuragallu, 72 per cent in Velagapudi, 70 per cent in Uddandarayunipalem and 65 percent in Venkatapalem and Nowluru.

Only 3,000 acres of lands in Undavalli, Penumaka, Nidamarru, Malkapuram, Rayapudi, Venkatapalem and Nowluru villages have to be pooled by the CRDA.

While farmers of Rayapudi have protested LPS, denying the usage of unique fertile Jareebu lands for new capital establishment from the beginning, gradually 80 per cent land collection was completed in Rayapudi.

A CRDA official, on the condition of anonymity, said that the local ruling party leaders also co-operated with CRDA to pacify farmers regarding the LPS hence the tough task was carried out smoothly over the past few days.

Farmers of Rayapudi, M. Durga Rao and others, said that land acquisition seems inevitable at any cost so they decided to offer their lands under LPS to get the benefits in the new capital Amaravati in the future.

The CRDA officials said that they are waiting for orders from the government to implement Land Acquisition Act to collect remaining lands.