HYDERABAD: The State government has now decided to adopt land pooling system to acquire land for the expansion of Gannavaram airport near Vijayawada.
After successfully procuring land for the new capital between Vijayawada and Guntur using the land pooling method, the government suggested the same system to the farmers from the villages around the airport when they met Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu for a dialogue on the matter at the Lake View Guest House here on Saturday evening.
In a press release issued soon after the meeting, the government said it would acquire land for the airport expansion by implementing the land pooling system “which would be beneficial for local farmers”.
“Chief Minister promised the farmers of Gannavaram and Kethanupalli villages that the government would give them a compensatory package on a par with the owners of Jareebu lands,” the release said.
Earlier, Naidu gave a patient hearing to the 40-odd farmers, who were led by Gannavaram MLA Vallabhaneni Vamsi Mohan and assured them of justice while procuring their agricultural lands for the airport.
The government is planning to acquire 470 acre of private and 59 acre of government land for the airpot expansion.
The farmers from three affected villages -- Kethanupalli, Ajjampura and Buddhavaram -- reportedly demanded that they be given a better package for surrendering their lands.
“We’re ready to part with our lands provided we get good compensatory package,” Chintapalli Sitaramaiah, who was leading the farmers’ delegation, told Express.
The farmers are expecting a package on the lines of the one given to the farmers in Tullur area of the capital region, he said.
“Even in the Land Acquisition Act it has been clearly mentioned that affected villages should be offered the highest rate prevailing in the nearest villages. Whereas the government is offering different rates to the three affected villages,” he pointed out.