The Andhra Pradesh government has issued a gazette notification to create a new R-5 zone in Amaravati, spanning over 900 acres of land in four villages. The purpose of this zone is to provide housing for poor people, but the move has sparked controversy and anger among farmers who are already protesting the government’s decision to develop three state capitals.
The Amaravati farmers’ Joint Action Committee (JAC) has accused the government of not consulting them before making this decision and plans to challenge it in the High Court. Last year, the government amended the Amaravati master plan to allocate land for housing, which was met with opposition from farmers who challenged the amendment in court.
Despite objections from farmers, the government has gone ahead with its plans to create the R-5 zone. Previous attempts by the government to allocate land for housing were cancelled by the High Court due to petitions filed by pro-Amaravati farmers. As a result, the government amended the APCRDA Act to provide house sites.
The R-5 zone will be within the boundaries of Krishnayapalem, Nidamarru, Kuragallu in Mangalagiri mandal, and Manddam and Ainavolu villages in Thullur mandal. However, Amaravati farmers fear that this new zone will change the status of the capital region and affect their interests.
