Tirupati Urban Development Authority mulls setting up Economic City at Settipalli

Tirupati: Tirupati Urban Development Authority (TUDA) is mulling to set up an economic zone (Economic City) as soon as possible. Along with IT companies’ activities in the temple city, TUDA officials are planning multi-business activities in Tirupati.

As part of this, officials already started preliminary works for setting up of Economic City in more than 500 acres of prime land at Settipalli panchayat of Tirupati urban mandal. On par with Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam, the Chief Minister is mulling to develop Tirupati as multi-business destination.

In tune with the CM’s vision, the officials have decided to procure land for the Economic City through the land pooling method. Two days ago, District Collector PS Pradyumna directed the officials to first settle the land disputes at Settipalli panchayat on the basis of government land records.

Many of the agricultural lands have been used for construction of houses (flats) in the village. Following land disputes, the State government has banned the registrations on a few survey numbers in the village.

In temple city Tirupati there is no land availability of land for developing the new urban projects. Settpalli is the only option to secure vast piece of land to develop the Economic City.

The local revenue officials have set up three special survey teams for conducting overall survey of the Settipalli lands. After securing clarity on details of lands, TUDA is going to start the land pooling activity for the construction of Economic City.

According to official sources, more than 500 acres of land is required at Settipalli to construct Economic City. Already first round of discussions have been held over the Economic City construction. The officials discussed on the best method to be adopted for acquiring land and the compensation that needs to be paid to the displaced under the land pooling method.

TUDA higher officials are examining the land pooling method which was implemented for State capital Amaravati construction under the CRDA limits. District Collector P S Pradyumna is keen on setting up the Economic City in Tirupati. The government’s plan is to create world-class facilities for business organisations and other commercial establishments.

Speaking to The Hans India, TUDA chairman G Narasimha Yadava said, “We are very much interested in developing the Economic City at Settipalli, before that I have instructed my officials on how to procure the lands from farmers without using force, how to provide the best compensation packages to farmers as per the latest land pooling methods.”

“TUDA has decided to negotiate several times with farmers, finally we will acquire lands after arriving at an amicable solution,” the TUDA chairman added.

By K Nethaji