Farmers worry over inclusion of lands in industrial zone

Tirupati: Farmers of the eastern mandals have raised objections over the draft master plan of the Tirupati Urban Development Authority (TUDA). The TUDA has released the draft master plan in December 2017 and time was given till February 5, 2018 for people to submit their objections.

Keeping in view of the future development needs of TUDA, the area falling under its purview was divided into seven zones in draft master plan. In the draft master plan, eastern mandals like Renigunta, Yerpedu, Srikalahasti and Puttur falls under industrial and logistics zone.

At present, more than 10,000 acres is under the cultivation and farmers are raising paddy, groundnut, sunflower and mango gardens by using water from borewells and irrigation tanks.

According to the state government’s industrial development policy, the above mentioned mandals will come under an industrial and economic growth corridor. Farmers are worried that they cannot use the land for commercial and domestic purpose once the TUDA officially declare the lands in the above mentioned mandals are part of industrial zone.

The TUDA office is receiving more than 20 to 30 written objections every day. Few farmers have already approached the TUDA office and requested the officials concerned to include their lands in mixed utility zone.

Even, they also submitted written letter with attachments of FMB maps and ownership documents to the TUDA officials. Speaking to The Hans India, farmer Batti Reddy of Srikalahasti rural mandal has raised several objections over draft master plan.

A senior official in the Planning department said objections raised by farmers and people will be forwarded to the state government. After the approval of the government, the TUDA will declare the final master plan by the end of February 2018.

By K Nethaji