Farmers from multiple villages in Andhra Pradesh's Prakasam district are mounting strong opposition against a proposal to acquire their fertile agricultural land. The land is sought for creating emergency flight landing facilities along National Highway 16.
Project Sparks Livelihood Fears
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has proposed acquiring approximately 150 metres of land on both sides of the highway stretching from Singarayakonda to Tangutur. This move is intended to develop infrastructure for emergency aircraft landings. However, the farming community sees it as a direct threat to their survival.
Farmers' leaders have pointed out a significant shift in the project's scope. They claim initial consultations came with assurances that productive, fertile land would be spared. The current proposals, they allege, now explicitly target cultivable fields, sowing deep anxiety in villages where agriculture is the primary economic activity.
Broken Promises and a Call for Transparency
Telugu Desam Party (TDP) leader S Srinivasulu highlighted the earlier promises made to landowners. He recalled that authorities had assured land acquisition would be minimal and would proceed only with the consent of those affected. Farmers now feel these assurances are being diluted. They are demanding complete transparency in the decision-making process and a return to the original understanding.
"We are not against development or aviation projects," Srinivasulu stated, echoing the sentiment of the protestors. "But such projects should not come at the cost of destroying farming communities and their livelihoods."
Agriculture as the Backbone of Rural Economy
At a recent meeting with local leaders, farmers passionately argued their case. They emphasized that the region's productive farming sustains thousands of families. Losing even a portion of this land would have a cascading effect, severely impacting household income, local employment, and long-term food security.
Union representatives stressed that agriculture remains the bedrock of the rural economy and deserves robust protection. Many farmers highlighted the existing challenges they face, including rising cultivation costs, volatile crop prices, and mounting debts. In this precarious financial situation, they argued, losing land would push countless families into deeper distress.
Demand for Alternative Sites and Peaceful Agitation
The protesting farmers have presented a clear alternative to the authorities. They have urgently requested the government to explore the use of non-agricultural and barren land for any emergency landing strips or auxiliary airport facilities. They insist that true development must balance infrastructure growth with the protection of farmers' rights and livelihoods.
The protest movement has seen participation from cultivators across several villages. They have issued a firm warning: if their demands continue to be ignored, they are prepared to intensify their agitation through widespread peaceful protests. Their core message is that infrastructure projects should not compromise the very sector that feeds the nation.
