Farmers up in arms against Elevated Express Highway

Those farmers whose lands are expected to be acquired are bracing up for a long drawn legal battle to protect their source of livelihood. Over 40 farmers have already filed their objections with the CRDA demanding the withdrawal of the proposal

Amaravati: Farmers of Vundavalli village are opposing land acquisition for the Elevated Express Highway and preparing for legal battle against the land acquisition. They have already raised their objections with the CRDA and taking legal opinion to file a petition in the court. The farmers are saying that they are cultivating vegetables in their lands, which is the only source of their livelihood. But if the land is acquired, they feel they would be left high and dry. The farmers demand the government to withdraw its proposal lest they will commit suicide.

Bandireddy Venkata Reddy, who has given 20 cents each to his three daughters in form of dowry is only left with 20 cents which he wants to transfer to his wife’s name.

“I am already incurring losses due to crop failure. If the government snatches away my land, I will be left with nothing. Instead of coming to our rescue, the government is scheming to acquire our lands forcefully. This is pathetic,” he laments.

In spite of getting losses on his agriculture land, K.Somi Reddy doesn’t wants to part with his land. If the Elevated Express Highway is laid, he is of view that farmers would find it difficult to transport their produce.

“It seems that the government is hell-bent on acquiring some lands for the purpose. If that is so, the land prices of remaining lands will come down. Even if we get losses on agriculture, we can at least save ourselves financially by selling lands at a higher price. I have a daughter of marriageable age. But, all our dreams will come crashing down if they go ahead with highway,” Somi Reddy fears.

Another farmer Dontireddy Srinivasa Reddy, who has been banana and turmeric for over forty years, urges the State government to first complete Vijayawada West Bypass road to ease the traffic problem instead of Elevated Express Highway.

Preparing for the worst, he had already consulted an advocate if the government goes ahead with the proposal. “I will file a petition in the court and ensure that my land is saved from getting acquired. There are no service roads for the Elevated Express Highway. At present one acre land is being sold at Rs.20-crore. I am having 25-cents land."

K.Sambasiva Rao, a farmer says: "There is no need to acquire fertile and valuable lands.The NHAI has already called tenders to lay Vijayawada West Bypass Road from NRI Institute of Medical Sciences which will solve all traffic problems. If the highway is laid small and marginal farmers will lose over 60-acres of fertile and valuable lands."

Similarly, over 40 farmers filed their objections with the CRDA over the Elevated Express Highway. They are preparing for legal battle to protect their lands.