Amaravati Rail Link: Public Hearing Held on Land Acquisition.

In a concerted effort to expedite the Amaravati railway line project, the state government recently conducted a crucial public hearing on land acquisition. Notices were issued to farmers in Palnadu and Guntur districts for the proposed acquisition of approximately 334 acres in Palnadu and 200 acres in Guntur for the vital rail link to the state's capital city. District authorities urged farmers to present their documents and register any objections regarding the land acquisition plans.

The Union Cabinet had given its green light for rail connectivity to Amaravati last October, prioritizing the project despite its absence from the previous budget. The new rail line is estimated to cost around ₹2,245 crore and will connect Errupalem in Khammam district (on the existing Vijayawada-Hyderabad railway line) to Nambur station (under the Vijayawada-Guntur section).

Sources indicate that railway authorities have already completed land acquisition in Khammam district of Telangana and are preparing to commence the first phase of works. While the process to acquire land in the districts of NTR, Guntur, and Palnadu was initiated immediately following the Centre's announcement, it faced delays due to objections raised by local farmers.

Land-owning farmers, particularly those in Guntur district, have expressed strong resistance to the acquisition plans. Their primary concern stems from the location of these lands, which are in close proximity to the capital city and command a substantial market value. Currently, an acre of land in and around the capital city can fetch between ₹4 crore and ₹8 crore, depending on the precise location. Farmers fear that the compensation offered under the Land Acquisition Act may not align with these prevailing market rates.

Sources suggest that local legislator Tenali Sravan Kumar has been actively negotiating with farmers, exploring the possibility of them joining the Land Pooling Scheme (LPS) as an alternative, should they be unwilling to accept the compensation stipulated by the Act. This ongoing dialogue highlights the delicate balance between public infrastructure development and the rights and concerns of affected landowners.