Farmers from Undavalli village near Amaravati strongly opposed the Andhra Pradesh government’s alleged attempts to acquire additional lands under the capital region development plans.
Representatives of various farmers’ associations accused APCRDA authorities of violating the assurances given to locals and reducing the value of their properties.
Farmers’ association leader Jonna Siva Shankar Rao alleged that the government was trying to expand land pooling activities in Undavalli against the wishes of the farmers.
He said the authorities were attempting to “forcibly take away” farmers’ lands despite resistance from locals.
According to him, land values in Undavalli were traditionally higher than those in several other villages in the capital region, including Mandadam. However, current policies had led to a steep decline in property prices in the village.
Siva Shankar Rao pointed out that while land prices in nearby Tadepalli had increased significantly, Undavalli had not seen similar growth.
He further alleged that building permissions were not being granted in the village, adversely affecting local development and investments.
The farmers’ leader accused the government of failing to honour the promises made to landowners under the capital development framework.
He also alleged that roads were being laid through lands belonging to farmers who had not consented to land pooling for the proposed N1 road corridor.
“Even small development works are not being taken up in Undavalli. We strongly oppose any attempt to forcibly acquire our lands,” he said.
CPI(M) leader Ravi demanded that the government fulfil the commitments made to farmers who had already surrendered lands for the Seed Axis Road project.
He alleged that officials were intimidating farmers in an attempt to secure additional lands without their consent.
He said land prices in Undavalli had fallen sharply and urged the government to hold discussions with farmers and respect their views before taking any further decisions.
Another farmers’ association leader, Eshwara Reddy, criticised the decision to establish the state capital in Amaravati, calling it a “wrong decision.”
He said many residents of Undavalli owned agricultural lands in nearby areas such as Sekamuru, which had already been given under pooling arrangements.
Despite being located close to Vijayawada, land values in Undavalli had not appreciated, while prices in villages like Penumaka and Mandadam had increased considerably, he alleged.
Eshwara Reddy said farmers had agreed to surrender lands only up to the Seed Axis Road alignment. Out of 42 affected farmers, 32 had reportedly agreed to part with their land, while 10 had refused.
He further alleged that authorities had initially informed farmers that the Seed Axis Road would require a width of 60 metres, but were now additionally claiming a 15-metre buffer zone.
According to him, lands were being taken away in the name of the N1 zone, with officials even marking lands belonging to farmers who had not consented to pooling.
“We have no connection with the capital project. The buffer zone should be removed. We are demanding higher compensation and separate compensation instead of clubbing us with other villages,” he said.
