Thousands of farmers in Vijayawada's capital region have finally found resolution to their prolonged land ownership struggle after nearly ten years of uncertainty and financial hardship. The state government has taken decisive action to complete the registration of returnable plots under the Land Pooling Scheme, bringing closure to a dispute that has lingered since the capital development plan's inception.
The Decade-Long Struggle for Land Rights
Farmers who had voluntarily surrendered their fertile river-island lands in the Krishna river faced years of uncertainty after expecting to receive developed residential and commercial plots in the new capital city. The process came to an abrupt halt when the National Green Tribunal (NGT) ordered a complete stop on registration and sale of island lands, citing ecological sensitivity concerns that needed immediate attention.
This directive left agricultural families in complete limbo - without legal ownership documents, unable to sell or mortgage their allotted properties, and with no clarity about their future prospects. The situation led to declining agricultural productivity, mounting debts, and gradual erosion of traditional livelihoods that had sustained generations of farming communities.
Government Intervention Brings Resolution
Recognizing the severity of the situation affecting thousands of families, the Chandrababu Naidu-led NDA government initiated a comprehensive review of the entire matter. The administration consulted with legal experts, environmental authorities, and revenue officials to find a sustainable solution that would address both ecological concerns and farmers' rights.
Based on these crucial inputs, the Chief Minister directed the CRDA (Capital Region Development Authority) to complete registrations without violating established ecological norms. Government officials clarified that the returnable plots in question fall within designated development zones and not the restricted areas specifically flagged by the NGT in its original directive.
Immediate Implementation and Farmer Relief
With the government's decision officially in force, the CRDA began processing registrations starting Friday, bringing long-awaited relief to the farming community. Farmers' associations across the region expressed profound gratitude for the resolution, stating that this move restores confidence in the system and provides much-needed legal clarity and financial security for families who have waited patiently for nearly a decade.
Municipal Administration Minister P Narayana confirmed that registrations will be conducted at village unit offices, making the process accessible to farmers across the region and enabling them to finally reclaim their future with proper documentation and legal ownership rights.
The resolution marks a significant milestone in the capital region's development journey, demonstrating that ecological concerns and development objectives can coexist when approached with careful planning and stakeholder consultation.
