Farmers and landowners across several districts in Telangana are up in arms over what they describe as arbitrary and unfair changes to the alignment of the Regional Ring Road (RRR) project. They claim that the government has altered the route in ways that protect properties belonging to well-connected individuals, while forcing lesser landholders often from poorer backgrounds to give up fertile farmland, homes, and livelihoods.
What Farmers Say
- In villages like Choutuppal, Sangareddy, Malepalli, Polepalli, Singampalli, and Sankatonipalli, protesters accuse authorities of diverting the alignment away from lands owned by influential figures and real estate investors. The revised alignment has, they allege, increased the length of the southern stretch from 182 km to 201 km, resulting in more land being acquired.
- Farmers claim that these changes were made without full transparency or prior notification. According to them, published surveys and maps have been kept vague, and consultations with affected residents have been minimal. The compensation being offered is said to be far below the market rate, especially for high quality agricultural land.
- Many of those affected are from economically weaker sections, including SC/ST/BC communities. They fear losing their only means of livelihood. Villagers say that house sites and homes are also being acquired, not just farmland.
Political Response
- Former minister and opposition leader T. Harish Rao has accused the Congress government of altering the alignment to benefit real estate business interests that allegedly have connections to political leaders. He has vowed to support affected farmers and demand a rollback of the alignment changes.
- Some farmers also lodged protests at the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) and other offices, blocking traffic and demanding that the original alignment be restored.
- Congress MLAs, including those whose constituencies are affected, have reportedly expressed concern, but there’s no clear statement yet from the Chief Minister’s office about whether the alignment will be revisited.
What the RRR is and What’s Changing
- The RRR is a major infrastructure project, intended to encircle Hyderabad to improve connectivity, ease traffic congestion, and spur urban and rural development. The project covers multiple districts.
- The southern stretch, which earlier was designed with certain alignment plans, has been revised. The updated route is longer and reportedly passes through more lands. Concerns are that it will require more land acquisition from farmers in sensitive agricultural zones.
Concerns & Impacts
- Loss of Agricultural Productivity: Fertile farmland lost to the road may reduce incomes for farm families. Compensation offered is often insufficient to make up for long term losses.
- Displacement of Poor Households: Homes and house sites are at risk. For many affected, there are no alternate homes lined up.
- Lack of Transparency & Trust: Farmers say the surveying and alignment changes are being done without clear public disclosure. This erodes trust in government and planning authorities.
- Alleged Favoritism: A key allegation is that lands belonging to political or real estate elites are being spared, while less influential landowners suffer.
What Farmers Want
- Reversion to the original alignment which minimizes land acquisition and preserves fertile land.
- Fair compensation at market rates for all affected lands, including house sites.
- Proper rehabilitation and resettlement especially for poorer villagers whose homes are being affected.
- A judicial or independent inquiry into whether alignment changes were influenced by private interests.
Looking Ahead
The protests are ongoing, and the issue is gaining political traction. Observers expect that if the government fails to respond, it could become a bigger political issue in upcoming elections. Planning authorities may be under pressure to release clear maps, ensure transparency in compensation, and possibly revise the alignment to balance infrastructure needs with farmers’ welfare.
