The Capital Region Development Authority (CRDA) has commenced groundwork for the crucial second phase of its land pooling initiative in Amaravati, the planned capital city of Andhra Pradesh. This move signals a significant step forward in the state government's efforts to acquire land for the capital's infrastructure development.
Unit Offices Established for Streamlined Process
To facilitate the extensive exercise, the CRDA is establishing dedicated unit offices in the villages identified under this new phase. Operations have already begun in seven out of the planned nine unit offices. These offices are located in villages falling under the Tulluru mandal in Guntur district and the Amaravati (old) mandal in Palnadu district.
Authorities have compiled and dispatched detailed reports to the respective district collectors. These reports contain vital information, including:
- Village-wise land details and records of farmers holding land.
- Prevalent crop patterns in the pooling area.
- Data on landless labourers dependent on agriculture.
- Information on other occupational groups likely to be impacted.
Staff assigned to these unit offices are undergoing specialized training. They are being instructed on the precise procedures and prescribed formats for accurately recording details of lands and landowners, ensuring all documentation is thorough.
Scale of Land Pooling and Oversight
The state government plans to pool approximately 16,666 acres of land from farmers in this first round of the Land Pooling Scheme 2.0. When combined with existing government land, the total extent earmarked for development is expected to exceed 20,000 acres. To oversee the complex operations of the unit offices, the administration will appoint two special grade deputy collectors.
Minister Reviews Stalled Housing Projects
In a parallel development, Minister for Municipal Administration and Urban Development (MAUD), P Narayana, recently inspected the progress of ongoing construction works in Amaravati. His focus was on the residential buildings intended for senior officials, public representatives, and judges.
These housing projects, initially launched in 2018, faced prolonged delays and were left unfinished during the five-year rule of the previous YSRCP government. The current NDA government has relaunched these initiatives. While the initial target was to complete pending works by December 2025, Minister Narayana cited heavy rains this year as a cause for delay, resulting in the loss of many working days.
Out of the 4,026 residential units under construction, 186 are independent bungalows designated for High Court judges, principal secretaries, higher-ranking officials, and ministers. The remaining 3,850 units are being built in apartment-style blocks for MLAs, MLCs, All India Services (AIS) officers, and other government employees.
Narayana noted that most ministers' bungalows are completed, while brickwork and plastering in judges' bungalows are in their final stages. Residential towers for AIS officers are also nearing completion. The minister expressed confidence that all buildings, except for around 500 housing units, will be finished by the end of March. The CRDA plans to hand over the completed structures to the state government by the end of April.
Progress on Seed Access Road
Regarding the seed access road, Minister Narayana announced that the land acquisition notification will be issued shortly. He clarified that only 4.5 acres of land is required for this project. Landowners have already agreed to provide 2 acres under the Land Pooling Scheme, and the remaining land will be acquired through standard land acquisition procedures.
The simultaneous push on land pooling and the acceleration of stalled housing projects underscore the government's renewed focus on developing Amaravati's core infrastructure and administrative facilities.
