Amaravati International Airport proposal gains momentum; AP government explores 30,000-acre land pool options

Minister of Municipal Administration and Urban Development P. Narayana inspected the gravel quarry at Ananthavaram, Amaravati on April 15, 2025. Photo: Special arrangement

The Andhra Pradesh government is actively considering the development of the international airport in the capital Andhra Pradesh Amalawati, which requires about 5,000 acres of land. Despite the proposal’s advancement towards major infrastructure, the city and city development minister P. Narayana clarified on Tuesday (April 15) that no final decision has been made on whether the land will be acquired through direct acquisition or voluntary land pooling.

If the government adopts the option of the Land Summarvati Capital, such as the Amalawati capital, it must obtain more than 30,000 acres of land from farmers. Minister Narayana responded to this, confirming that the local MLA recommended that the government take up land in LPS so that farmers could benefit more than land acquisitions.

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu expressed his desire to establish a world-class international airport as part of his broader vision to create a mega city by integrating Mangalagiri, Tadepalli, Guntur and Vijayawada and informed Mr Narayana.

He spoke to the media after Ananthavaram inspected the gravel quarry and said land raising was considered the preferred alternative to avoid farmers’ distress and ensure mutual benefit.

According to the minister, the acquisition of land through the traditional acquisition model will only provide farmers with 2.5 times the registered value as compensation. However, in the first phase of the Amaravati development in 2015, land collections were effectively used, ensuring greater benefits through returnable land and higher long-term value.

The minister explained that to ensure the 5,000 acres available at the airport, about 30,000 acres would need to be aggregated, as much of the land would be used for infrastructure such as roads, drainage and returnable land. “After all the necessary allocations, only 5,000 acres of land were used to build the airport,” he added.

Mr Narayana also criticized the previous YSRCP government’s handling of the capital project, blaming it for years of delays. He said the tender value of 68 different capital projects is Rs 423,600 crore and is now underway. For the necessary raw materials, the Ministry of Mining has allocated 851 acres of land to CRDA to extract gravel.

The UAV Survey is currently evaluating the depth and availability of gravel in Ananthavaram, with partial excavations already underway during the previous regime.

Minister Narayana reiterated the government’s commitment to fulfilling Amaravati’s development within three years. The residential area of ​​government officials will be completed within one year, with luggage roads within 18 months, two and a half years of layout roads, and landmark buildings at the end of the third year.