Telangana CM Revanth Reddy wants humane approach to land acquisition, directs collectors to talk to farmers directly

Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has directed district collectors to adopt a humane approach in acquiring land for national highway projects.

Addressing a review meeting at the Secretariat on Wednesday, Mr. Reddy emphasised the importance of ensuring that farmers get maximum compensation as per the law. Reviewing the challenges faced by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) in Telangana, Chief Minister Reddy questioned the delay in land acquisition despite government support. Collectors cited the discrepancy between the government registration prices and market prices as the main reason for farmers’ reluctance to part with their land.

The Chief Minister directed the Collectors to directly engage with the farmers to resolve the issue. He also mentioned his request to Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari to treat the southern and northern parts of the Regional Ring Road (RRR) as one project, which he said has received preliminary approval. The officials were advised to expedite necessary steps, including a tripartite agreement between the state government, the central government and the NHAI. The Chief Minister ordered immediate action to remove hurdles in land acquisition, especially in the northern part of the RRR. Yadadri Bhuvanagiri Collector Hanmanth K. Jendage raised legal challenges, which the Chief Minister directed to counter by next Friday in order to lift the stay by the Supreme Court.

During the meeting, Agriculture Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao, participating via video conference from Khammam, stressed on the compelling process for farmers to get compensation. He opposed the conversion of the Khammam-Aswaraopet road into a state highway, insisting that it should remain a national highway.

Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka urged NHAI officials to construct service roads in many villages and underpasses, if required for agricultural access. NHAI project officer Anil Chaudhary agreed to consider these proposals. The Chief Minister also raised the issue of transferring forest land for road projects on Armour-Jagtial-Mancherial and Vijayawada-Nagpur corridors. He directed the district collectors of Nizamabad, Mancherial and Mahabubabad to allocate alternative government land and ensure coordination between revenue and forest departments to facilitate construction of roads.

Roads and Buildings Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy asked NHAI project officer Anil Chaudhary to start expanding the Hyderabad-Vijayawada National Highway to six lanes as land acquisition has been completed. Mr. Chaudhary assured him that work would start within two months.

The meeting was attended by Chief Secretary Shanti Kumari and other officials.