Farmers allege irregularities in land acquisition for Nellore airport

A group of farmers from Damavaram village have accused Revenue Department officials of serious irregularities in the land acquisition process for the upcoming Greenfield airport at Dagadarthi mandal in Nellore district. They alleged that few officials accepted bribes from 15 persons in the village to include them in the list of perpetual leaseholders.

As per the GO No. 1 released on January 2, 2026, the State government has directed the Andhra Pradesh Airports Development Corporation Limited (APADCL) to acquire 418.14 acres of perpetual lease land in Damavaram village for the development of the airport by paying a compensation of ₹13 lakh per acre to the perpetual leaseholders.

“The government wants to acquire land from perpetual leaseholders in the village, who had been holding 700 acres for more than 100 years. The list at the Panchayat office shows only 671.75 acres of land under perpetual lease. The rightful owners of the remaining 28.25 acres in the village will suffer losses,” claimed Uma Maheswara Rao, a farmer from Damavaram village.

“Two officials of Revenue Department have colluded with few farmers in the village to include their names as the perpetual leaseholders. We have already complained about the irregularities to the District Collector, and he has responded positively to our concerns,” alleged Thummala Harish, another farmer from same village.

Speaking to The Hindu, Collector Himanshu Shukla said, “We are proceeding as per the GO while acquiring land for the airport. The officials are inspecting every survey number and verifying each beneficiary. No ineligible person will be given compensation and no eligible person will be missed out. The compensation is being paid to only those whose land parcels have no objection.”