Today marks eleven years since the start of Amaravati Land Pooling. It was an unprecedented exercise in India, where farmers voluntarily handed over more than 33,000 acres to the Government, trusting the vision of building a new capital city.
Land Pooling began on January 2nd, 2015, in Nelapadu village of the Capital Region. On the very first day, farmers contributed 89 acres to the CRDA, signalling the formal launch of the Amaravati capital development process.
Under the original plan, Fully Developed Returnable Plots were to be handed over to farmers within three years. The Chandrababu Naidu Government also promised to complete capital works in five years and begin administration from Amaravati.
However, even after land pooling, farmers continued to face several unresolved problems. Although a three-member committee was formed to examine these issues, they remained at the discussion stage, forcing farmers to organise protests through a Joint Action Committee.
The situation worsened after the change of Government in 2019, when capital works came to a standstill. Amaravati farmers were made to sit on roads, faced lathi charges, and endured verbal abuse for nearly five years.
Another change in Government brought renewed hope. After Chandrababu Naidu assumed power again, Amaravati construction resumed, tenders worth 80,000 Crore were issued, and development works restarted across the capital region.
Despite this progress, many challenges remain for farmers. Except for the CRDA Headquarters, key buildings such as the Secretariat, Assembly, and High Court continue to function from temporary structures even today.
While a few central government public sector undertakings have inaugurated their buildings, some High Court departments still operate from City Civil Court premises. Plots affected by Veedhipotu also continue to exist in the master plan.
Land-related issues have persisted for eleven years, including Gramakantam lands, Jareebu lands, non-Jaribu lands, assigned lands, and plots allotted in tank areas. In Venkatapalem village, farmers allotted national highway land have raised fresh concerns.
Connectivity promises also remain incomplete. Although Minister Narayana had announced that the embankment would be expanded and linked to the national highway within three years, the works are still ongoing.
The capital is yet to receive constitutional protection. A Bill to that effect was expected to be introduced in Parliament during the current session, but it did not happen.
The BJP, which earlier promised to bear the entire cost of the capital, has provided only 2200 Crores so far. The Central Government has limited its support to guaranteeing loans taken for capital construction.
Amid these challenges, Amaravati farmers continue to hope that their long-pending issues will be resolved and that the capital will see steady and visible progress before the next election.