In a significant move towards accelerating the development of Andhra Pradesh's capital city, the state cabinet has given its approval for the acquisition of 16,666 acres of land under the second phase of land pooling for Amaravati. This decision comes just one day after Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu met with capital farmers and promised expedited development of the capital region.
Land Pooling Scheme 2.0 Gets Green Light
The Andhra Pradesh cabinet, during its meeting on Friday, approved the proposal authorizing the AP Capital Region Development Authority (APCRDA) commissioner to initiate the Land Pooling Scheme (LPS) 2.0. This crucial decision will facilitate the acquisition of 16,666 acres across seven specific villages in the capital region.
The villages identified for the second phase of land pooling include:
- Vaikunthapuram
- Pedamadduru
- Yendrai
- Karlapudi
- Vadlamanu
- Harichandrapuram
- Pedaparimi
While the state government had initially considered pooling an additional 40,000 acres of land for capital development, this broader proposal has been temporarily deferred due to opposition from certain quarters, including capital farmers. Chief Minister Naidu has been advocating for additional land to develop an international sports city, a greenfield airport, and hi-tech industries in the capital region.
Major Investments and Infrastructure Decisions
Beyond the land pooling initiative, the cabinet meeting yielded several other significant decisions that promise to boost the state's economic and infrastructure development.
In a major win for the state's technology sector, the cabinet approved the allotment of 480 acres to Raiden Infotech, a subsidiary of Google, for establishing a data centre project in Visakhapatnam. This substantial investment is expected to create numerous employment opportunities and position Andhra Pradesh as a emerging technology hub.
The cabinet also gave its nod for the creation of a new Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to implement the Bharathnet scheme, aimed at improving digital connectivity across the state. Additionally, the cabinet approved the proposal to add extra dates for electoral roll preparation by amending the AP Panchayatraj Act.
Urban Development and Energy Initiatives
Significant reforms were introduced in urban planning with the approval of new rules for billboards and display advertisements in urban local bodies. According to the updated regulations, all structures displaying advertisements will require certification and insurance. The new rules also prohibit display advertisements on national highways, heritage structures, educational institutions, and hospitals.
In a move that will benefit property developers and individual builders, the cabinet approved a 50% concession in vacant land tax during the construction period.
The energy sector received substantial attention with the cabinet authorizing AP Discoms to obtain a Rs 3,762 crore loan from NABARD for implementing the rooftop solar scheme specifically for SC and ST consumers. The cabinet also approved power sharing arrangements from Balimela and Jwalaput dams with Odisha, following directions from the high court.
Irrigation and Revenue Department Approvals
In the irrigation sector, the cabinet approved proposals worth Rs 543 crore for various works in the Polavaram irrigation project, signaling the government's commitment to completing this crucial infrastructure project.
The revenue department will see significant reforms with the inclusion of new rules for land mutations in rural areas, specifically designed to avoid unnecessary litigations and streamline property transactions.
Furthermore, the cabinet approved the allocation of half an acre of land at Mudasarlova in Visakhapatnam for the construction of Yadava Bhavan, catering to the cultural and community needs of the Yadav community in the region.
These comprehensive decisions reflect the state government's multi-pronged approach to development, balancing infrastructure growth with social welfare initiatives across various sectors of Andhra Pradesh's economy.
