5,000 acres required for Polavaram R&R package in Eluru district, says Collector

Eluru District Collector K. Vetri Selvi directed officials to expedite the land acquisition process for the Rehabilitation and Resettlement (R&R) works of the Polavaram project. 

At a review meeting held here on Tuesday, the Collector said that an additional 5,000 acres of land is required in Eluru district for the implementation of the R&R package, which includes land-for-land compensation, construction of R&R colonies, and other facilities for project-displaced families. As much as 800 acres have already been identified in Buttayagudem and Jeelugumilli mandals, she said, and instructed that the remaining 4,200 acres be acquired at a pace of 500 acres per week, which should be completed by August 15.

Ms. Vetri Selvi emphasised that only non-tribal lands should be identified for acquisition, and there should be no encroachments by tribals or others. Once the lands are identified, grama sabhas (village meetings) must be conducted in the respective villages. The Collector instructed that RDOs and DSPs should engage with farmers and ensure village-level consultations in their presence.

Joint Collector P. Dhatri Reddy, Special Collector S. Sarala Vandana, Alluri Sitarama Raju District Chinturu ITDA Project Officer Apoorva Bharat, District Revenue Officer V. Vishweshwara Rao, and others were present.