Minister for Municipal Administration and Urban Development P. Narayana inspects gravel quarries at Ananthavaram in Amaravati on April 15, 2025. Photo: Special Arrangement
The Andhra Pradesh Government is actively considering the development of an international airport in Amaravati, the capital city of Andhra Pradesh, requiring approximately 5,000 acres of land. While the proposal signals a major infrastructure boost, Municipal Administration and Urban Development Minister P. Narayana clarified on Tuesday (April 15) that no final decision has been taken yet regarding whether the land will be acquired through direct acquisition or voluntary land pooling.
If the government goes with the option of Land Pooling Scheme (LPS), like in the case of Amaravati capital city, then it has to acquire more than 30,000 acres from the farmers. Reacting on it, Minister Narayana confirmed that the local MLAs have suggested the government to take the land under LPS so that the farmers can benefit more when compared with the Land Acquisition.
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has expressed his desire to establish a world-class international airport as part of his broader vision to create a mega city by integrating Mangalagiri, Tadepalli, Guntur, and Vijayawada, informed Mr. Narayana.
Addressing the media after inspecting gravel quarries at Ananthavaram, he said land pooling was considered as the preferred alternative to land acquisition to avoid farmer distress and ensure mutual benefit.
According to the Minister, acquiring land through the traditional acquisition model would offer farmers only about 2.5 times the registration value as compensation. However, land pooling, which was used effectively during the first phase of Amaravati’s development in 2015, ensures greater benefit through returnable plots and better long-term value for farmers.
The Minister explained that to secure 5,000 usable acres for the airport, about 30,000 acres would need to be pooled, given that a significant portion of land would go toward infrastructure such as roads, drainage, and returnable plots to farmers. “After all necessary allocations, only 5,000 acres would be left for construction of the airport,” he added.
Mr. Narayana also criticised the previous YSRCP Government’s handling of the capital city project, blaming it for years of delay. He said tenders worth ₹42,360 crore for 68 different capital works have already been finalised and work was now underway. For essential raw materials, the Mines Department has allocated 851 acres to CRDA for gravel extraction.
Drone surveys are currently assessing the depth and availability of gravel in Ananthavaram, where partial excavation had already taken place during the previous regime.
Minister Narayana reaffirmed the government’s commitment to completing Amaravati’s development within three years. Residential quarters for government officials will be completed within a year, trunk roads in 18 months, layout roads in two and a half years, and iconic buildings by the end of the third year.
Published – April 15, 2025 04:04 pm IST
