Expansion of Vijayawada airport hits roadblock

Vijayawada: Expansion of Vijayawada airport at Gannavaram into an international airport is caught in crossfire as farmers continue to resist pressure to acquire cultivable lands.

• Development of aerodrome as international airport is caught in crossfire as farmers refuse to give their lands
• Going rate of lands is now between `2 cr and ` 4 cr an acre
• Ryots demands higher compensation for those who lose their homes and alternative sites in capital region comprising Thulluru, Tadepalli and Mangalagiri

Airport Authority of India (AAI) has approved the plan to develop the Vijayawada airport on the lines of the Shamshabad airport in Hyderabad. The AAI has sanctioned the plan following the bifurcation of the State.

The AAI team has recently visited Gannavaram and carried out a survey of lands suitable for expansion of the airport. It is estimated that as many as 490 acres of land is required for the development of the airport.

Farmers have remained steadfast in their refusal to part with their lands because the going rate for land in the vicinity of the airport is anywhere between Rs 2 crore and Rs 4 crore. The government has offered three times the market rate which stands at Rs 30 lakh an acre. It means that the government has offered to acquire land for Rs 90 lakh an acre.

The farmers in the area have expressed concern over the government proposing to acquire their lands at a time when they are able to secure good returns for nurturing their fields for generations.

It is proposed to acquire lands in Buddhavaram, Ajjampudi and Keserapalli village for the expansion of the airport. A section of the farmers in these villages have agreed to give away their lands under Land Acquisition Act as they are aware that the government cannot take away their lands unless at least 70 per cent of them give their consent.

Another section of people have demanded that they would part with their lands only if the government considers providing alternative lands in the capital region consisting of Thulluru, Tadepalli and Mangalagiri mandals in Guntur district. The farmers also have demanded that the farmers, who would lose their homes too in some villages, be given compensation commensurate with rates prevailing in the market, instead of market price.

Meanwhile, Krishna district Collector M Raghunandana Rao said on Friday the government would consider all issues raised by farmers. The District Collector held a review meeting here with the farmers and public representatives from Gannavaram areas. The Gannavaram legislator Vallabhaneni Vamsimohan was also present at the meeting.

The Collector said the farmers and the people of the area whose lands were proposed for acquisition had given their representations to the officials during the Janma Bhoomi programme held on November 13. The administration was now reviewing all the representations and would forward the same to the State government, he said.

He said the airport would contribute for the overall development of the area and wanted the farmers to support the cause.