Farmers Threaten Protests Over Displacement by Greenfield Highway Project

Quick Summary

• Farmers displaced by the Greenfield highway project in Eluru district intensified protests, citing unresolved grievances.
• At a conference held in Guravaigudem, Andhra Pradesh Rythu Sangham assistant secretary K. Srinivas announced a ‘Chalo Eluru Collectorate’ protest on august 4 to demand fair compensation and essential infrastructure.
• Farmers claimed the government failed to deliver promises made during land acquisition and accused authorities of forcibly acquiring land at low rates.
• Resolutions passed during the meeting called for MPs to raise the issue in Parliament and urged State officials to address pending complaints.
• Specific demands included compensation based on market rates, construction of service roads, underpasses with adequate dimensions, and proper amenities like borewells, electricity lines, and pipelines along the highway.

Indian Opinion analysis

The ongoing protests by farmers displaced by infrastructure projects such as the Greenfield highway underline critical challenges associated with land acquisition policies. While growth initiatives often aim to boost connectivity and economic growth, they must also ensure equitable treatment for affected communities. Accusations of inadequate compensation or broken commitments risk undermining public trust in these projects.

Properly addressing grievances-such as providing fair market-rate compensation and ensuring access roads-is not only an ethical obligation but also key to maintaining long-term community support for future development efforts. the resolution urging parliamentary attention indicates that this dispute could pressure policymakers at both local and national levels. Effective government response here will likely set an significant precedent regarding accountability in large-scale infrastructure projects.

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