Telangana: Farmers Concerned Over Fertile Land Acquisition for NH-63

Nizamabad: Farmers worried over acquisition of fertile land for NH-63 expansion even as the acquisition process was speeded up in Nizamabad district. At present, widening of NH 63 from Nizamabad to Jagdalpur in Chhattisgarh is in progress.

Agriculture land in Chepur, Kotarmoor, Perkit in Armoor mandal, Lakkora, Padgal, Anksapur, Kukunoor in Velpur mandal, Donkal, Morthad in Morthad mandal and Kammarpally mandal will be acquired for expansion. To avoid damage to residential buildings and inconvenience to villagers, officials proposed three green fields where bypass roads will be constructed.

Officials identified 254 acres for widening of the highway. NH 63 (earlier NH16) was declared in the early 1990s. In view of Left Wing Extremism, then government proposed road connectivity from Nizamabad in north Telangana to Jagdalpur in Chhattisgarh.

However, due to various reasons, the work is not completed yet. An inordinate delay in construction of a bridge across river Pranahita has affected the road expansion. At present, work has been taken up on stretch wise in Nizamabad, Jagtial and Mancherial districts.

Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, Armoor revenue divisional officer Raja Goud said land acquisition for NH-63 is under progress. There is no need to worry about compensation, he said. As per National Highway Act, farmers can file appeal for increase in compensation, he said, adding based on the land value and non-agriculture land Act (NALA) conversion, compensations will be released.

Considering the sale value of land for last three years, officials will release compensations on a square feet ratio basis. The National Highway Authority of India officials are coordinating with district officials to take up the widening work in Nizamabad district.