Andhra Government Targets Court Settlements for Bhogapuram Land Compensation Rows
Officials aim to resolve farmer grievances around the Bhogapuram international airport before the Prime Minister's visit. Disputed payments for terminal approach roads will now move through the Visakhapatnam tribunal.
Legal Deadlines and Diplomatic Pressure
As Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s scheduled visit on August 1, 2026, approaches, the Andhra Pradesh administration is scrambling to resolve long-standing compensation disputes at the Bhogapuram international airport site. Minister for MSME and NRI Affairs Kondapalli Srinivas and Collector S. Ramsundar Reddy met with local stakeholders on July 26, 2026, to address lingering friction over land acquisition. The state seeks to secure public cooperation before the high-profile tour, directing officials to meet aggressive deadlines for pending infrastructure works.
Valuation Disputes and the Judicial Path
Conflict persists despite most land owners accepting rehabilitation and resettlement packages. The primary point of contention involves the approach road connecting National Highway-16 to the airport. The state offered ₹48 lakh per acre, but displaced farmers from Ravivalasa, Gudepuvalasa, and Baireddipalem demanded ₹1 crore, citing current market valuations. After the GMR Group reportedly retracted initial interest in a private settlement, the government moved to deposit the contested funds with a tribunal in Visakhapatnam. Farmers must now navigate court procedures to claim their dues.
Employment Mandates and Rural Protests
Villagers from Maradapalem recently staged demonstrations to secure employment for their children. This demand stems from promises made during the acquisition phase spanning 2016 to 2026. Minister Srinivas confirmed that the GMR Group has been instructed to honor these commitments by hiring eligible local youth. Key concerns from the farming community include:
- Failure to receive payments before the airport’s formal inauguration.
- Disparities between government rates and market value for approach road land.
- Unfulfilled job placement guarantees for affected families.
With only six days remaining until the Prime Minister arriving, road construction is proceeding on a war footing. North Andhra representatives held an emergency review on Sunday to ensure all technical and social hurdles are bypassed before the August 1 deadline.
Source: The Hindu — News
