Airport Expansion: Ryots Want Rs 2-crore Compensation

RAJAHMUNDRY: The farmers of Madhurapudi and Burugupudi villages have expressed their unhappiness over the compensation they are offered by the government for their lands for expansion of Rajahmundry Airport.

As part of airport expansion, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) has asked the government to hand over 877 acres of land.

Following this, the revenue officials are conducting a series of meetings with the farmers of the two villages as regards compensation amount. While the farmers are demanding an amount of `2 crore for their roadside lands, the government is offering only `73 lakh per acre.

During a meeting with farmers on Wednesday, one of the farmers, TKV Reddy demanded `2 crore per acre for giving away his 4 acres land in Madhurapudi. As the ordinance issued by the Union government with regard to land acquisition had lapsed on August 31, it is mandatory to conduct preliminary investigation for determination of social impact and public purpose, before acquiring the land. Moreover, the High Court issued directions to the district administration to follow Act No. 30 of 2013, while acquiring land for the airport, he pointed out.

He also asked the collector as to why they are acquiring 877 acres when the AAI is constructing the airport in just 480 acres.

Responding to this, collector H Arun Kumar and sub-collector V Vijaya Rama Raju assured the farmers of help.

It may be noted here that 857 acres have already been acquired by the government for airport expansion and a decision on rest of the land would be taken later. An amount of `17 crore would be paid for trees, as a part of land acquisition.

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