Three years ago, the State government had acquired 700 acres of land from farmers in Buddhavaram and Kesanupalli villages to expand the Gannavaram airport. Tollywood celebrities Ashwini Dutt and Hero Krishnam Raju were among those who gave their lands to the project. While Ashwini Dutt gave 30 acres of his land located in Buddhavaram village, Krishnam Raju gave 30 acres of his land located in Kesanupalli village.
News has surfaced that the then TDP government convinced farmers that they would be compensated with lands in the State Capital of Amaravati and also assured them of a compensation package as applicable to farmers who gave their lands for Amaravati. After the YSRCP Government assumed power in 2019, they have stalled the land allocation in Amaravati by bringing the 3-capitals formula to the fore.
Now, farmers who have given their lands to the Gannavaram Airport expansion project are not coming forward to take lands in Amaravati as compensation. They have reportedly made it clear to the district revenue officials that they are unwilling to lose prime property in lieu of lands in Amaravati which seem to have no future as long as Jagan is at the helm.
According to the revenue officials, the AAI has to construct a new terminal in an extent of 3.5 lakh square yards as part of the expansion plans, but little progress has been made after farmers have rejected the proposal. Currently, Tollywood celebrities have horticulture gardens in their lands.
The District collector has swung into action since the expansion has to be completed within 24 months. The market value of one acre of land in the area is around Rs. 3 crore. AP government has to spend around Rs. 2,000 crore to acquire 700 acres. Finding no way out to convince the farmers, he reportedly escalated the issue to his superiors. Adding to these woes, the three capitals formula, falling real estate prices and corona crisis have pushed the entire expansion process into a quandary.
It is noteworthy to know that air passenger traffic has plummeted from 15,000 to 500 passengers a day. Locals and officials are mulling if the airport expansion project will even be continued given the steep drop in the air passenger traffic.
