“CPI (M) will not allow the government to replicate its land pooling plan at Bhogapuram where it proposed an international airport in an extent of 15,000 acres. If the government goes ahead with its plan, which was followed in the capital region, it will have to face stiff resistance from farmers,” warned party State secretariat member M. Krishna Murty at a press conference on Monday.
Pointing out the government’s rigid stand which was evident from Minister K. Mrunalini’s statement at the all-party meeting on Sunday, Mr. Murty gave two options for the government to go ahead with its plan. The first option is to develop the existing World War-II airstrip at Badangi, near Bobbili, and the other is to build the airport at Annavaram in Bhimunipatnam mandal where 1200 acres of forest land is available.
The government could escape wrath of farmers if it considered any one of these options, he said, adding, acquiring 15,000 acres would cost around Rs. 10,000 crore to the government, excluding compensation for horticulture crops.
Party district secretary T. Suryanarayana said party State secretary P. Madhu would tour the panchayats where the airport was planned and interact with farmers on April 29. The party convened an all-party meeting on April 30 and a meeting of farmers on May 3 when it would chalk-out a plan of action.
