RRR project: Chorus growing in support of demand for fair compensation
Farmers facing displacement are mounting pressure on the administration and their elected representatives, urging a more humane approach to the land acquisition process
Hyderabad: As the land acquisition process for the Regional Ring Road (RRR) project gains momentum, farmers facing displacement are growing increasingly restive. They are mounting pressure on the administration and their elected representatives, urging a more humane approach to the land acquisition process.
Despite the high market value of their lands, which can run into crores of rupees, the compensation offered through standard procedures is significantly lower, often only in lakhs. This disparity has led to widespread calls for either ‘land for land’ compensation or payment of the market value for the acquired land. Farmers argue that the loss incurred due to procedural delays, relocation expenses, and loss of income is substantial. A piece of land, especially when it is an ancestral property, holds special value for a farmer, which is not reflected in the compensation offered. Payments are often delayed, adding to the farmers’ financial strain.
A revenue officer involved in the acquisition process acknowledged the concerns, stating that the administration should ensure landowners are compensated fairly, reflecting the value they would have had if the acquisition had not occurred. However, he also noted that if a farmer does not agree to the terms, the compensation would be deposited in a bank, and the acquisition process would proceed regardless of consent.
Farmers, led by their elected representatives, are actively seeking fair compensation. Recently, a delegation from Mandollagudem and Nelapatla in Choutuppal mandal met Road and Buildings Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy with a request to ensure a fair deal.
The compensation process is governed by the 2013 Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation, and Resettlement (LARR) Act, which stipulates that compensation for agricultural land should be three times the card value, and two times for urban land. Despite some adjustments in registration values in certain mandals, the compensation remains inadequate compared to market values, which can range from five to six crore rupees in some areas.
In response to the delays and perceived inadequacies, some farmers have taken legal action, resulting in stays on parts of the project, particularly in Bhongir mandal.
The proposed Regional Ring Road (RRR) project, a 340 km, four-lane access-controlled expressway around Hyderabad, is entering a critical phase. Planned beyond the Outer Ring Road (ORR) and approved under Bharatmala Pariyojana’s first phase, the RRR aims to enhance connectivity and support regional development.
The 158-km northern section of the RRR will connect Sangareddy, Narsapur, Toopran, Gajwel, Pragnapur, Jagdevpur, Bhongir, and Choutuppal. The State government, responsible for 50 percent of the land acquisition costs, has acquired 1,459.28 hectares out of the total 1,935.35 hectares required for this section.
Attention now shifts to the 194 km southern phase, which will extend from Choutuppal to Shadnagar and Gajwel. This phase is expected to be particularly challenging due to the high stakes involved in land acquisition. The State government has also planned 1712 km of radial and link roads to be implemented in three phases as part of the mega project, thus further complicating the acquisition process.
Farmers facing displacement are increasingly vocal about the need for fair compensation. They argue that the current compensation, based on standard procedures, does not reflect the true market value of their lands.
Lumpsum compensation policy of BRS regime could help RRR
In a groundbreaking move intended to address the challenges associated with land acquisition for the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Scheme (KLIS) and several other projects, the previous BRS government had introduced a novel policy aimed at ensuring fair compensation and rehabilitation for affected families. The policy, outlined in GO Ms.No.120, facilitated lumpsum payments towards the rehabilitation and resettlement of land losers.
Under this policy, the authorized officer is tasked with conducting a detailed enquiry to identify the families impacted by land acquisition. Following this, a comprehensive scheme was submitted to the District Collector for approval. Affected families were given the option to choose between entitlements under the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement (RFCTLARR) Act, 2013, or a lumpsum package as per the RFCTLARR (Telangana Amendment) Act, 2016.The District Collector was authorised to finalize the compensation, ensuring that the lump sum payment was higher than what would be provided under the standard provisions of the RFCTLARR Act, 2013.
This innovative approach aimed at streamlining the compensation process, provided greater financial security to those affected by the land acquisition for the KLIS reservoirs. It marked a major step forward in addressing the complexities of land acquisition, ensuring that the rights and livelihoods of affected families are safeguarded while facilitating the progress of crucial infrastructure projects.
