Pharma City Oustees to Get 121 Sq. yds of Developed Plots This Month
HYDERABAD: Farmers who lost their land for the development of Hyderabad Pharma City in Kandukur, Yacharam, and Kadthal mandals of Rangareddy district are set to finally receive 121 square yards of developed plots this month, with the Congress government increasing the size of the layout by 150 acres.
The state government has developed a layout spanning over 620 acres in Meerkhanpet village, Kandukur mandal, with over 11,500 plots being prepared for distribution to the affected farmers.
The BRS government had initiated the Pharma City project in 2017, aiming to develop it across 19,333 acres on the city outskirts. Its land acquisition efforts resulted in procurement of over 13,500 acres by 2021. Farmers were offered compensation of ₹eight lakh per acre for the assigned land, ₹ 7.7 lakh per acre for encroached government lands under the possession of farmers and ₹12.50 lakh per acre for patta land.
The acquisition faced strong resistance, with farmers decrying the ‘inadequate’ compensation when compared to the prevailing market rates. Legal battles ensued, with several petitions filed in the High Court, which subsequently directed the government to provide fair compensation.
In response to mounting pressure, the BRS government increased compensation for patta lands to ₹16 lakh per acre and promised to allot developed plots of 121 square yards to farmers. While plot allotment certificates featuring the then chief minister K. Chandrashekar Rao’s image were distributed, delays in layout development left farmers in wait.
After the Congress government assumed power last December 2023, plans for the Pharma City were reimagined. Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy announced the creation of Future City, incorporating a pollution-free green pharma city within the existing Pharma City project. He instructed officials to expedite plot development and distribution to pacify the displaced farmers.
The Telangana State Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (TGIIC) accelerated the layout development process, with plot numbering underway and the completion expected by the month-end. A draw of lots will determine the allocation of plots.
Of the 11,553 farmers eligible for plots, 5,720 have already received plot allotment certificates. To accommodate the remaining 5,833 farmers, the government has decided to expand the layout by an additional 150 acres.
Ibrahimpatnam MLA Malreddy Rangareddy, under whose constituency the Yacharam mandal falls, where the land holdings were acquired, told Deccan Chronicle that the Chief Minister has directed TGIIC and revenue officials to ensure that the allotment process is completed by the end of this month.
"After the draw of lots, registrations will be carried out free of cost at the Maheshwaram sub-registrar office, with TGIIC covering the expenses," Malreddy said.
He said the draw of lots will involve participation of MLAs from Ibrahimpatnam and Maheshwaram and officials from TGIIC and revenue departments, with the date to be announced shortly.
Farmers are hopeful that this development will finally put an end to their long-standing grievances.