Lands worth Rs 5,300 cr brings relief to thousands of residents

Govt has decided to transfer 610 acres of land to the Simhachalam  Devasthanam instead of the initially proposed 420 acres

■ Regularization of 12,149 houses constructed on Simhachalam lands

■ Lands worth Rs. 5,300 crore

■ Nearly 70,000 residents receive land ownership documents

■ Previous governments had issued land ownership documents under GOs 299 and 386, but they had not granted complete ownership rights

kiranmai tutika | AMARAVATI

In a significant move to resolve the long-pending land issues in Simhachalam, the Andhra Pradesh government has decided to regularize lands worth Rs. 5,300 crore. Revenue Minister Anagani Satya Prasad announced that Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has approved the regularization of 12,149 houses constructed on Simhachalam lands, bringing relief to thousands of residents.

Speaking at a press conference at the Secretariat, the minister stated that the decision was taken with the consent of Simhachalam Devasthanam hereditary trustee Ashok Gajapathi Raju. The regularization process will be implemented based on 2016-17 land prices, ensuring that nearly 70,000 residents receive land ownership documents. The Chief Minister has instructed officials to ensure that regularization is applied from the specified dates.

Minister Anagani Satyaprasad further disclosed that Chief Minister Naidu has extended the land regularization initiative to Gajuwaka, addressing land disputes in another crucial region. He emphasized that the coalition government has brought stability and confidence to the state, creating a positive environment for investors.

At the media briefing, attended by TDP state president Palla Srinivas Rao and MP Bharat, Minister Anagani reiterated the government’s commitment to resolving long-standing land issues.

Speaking on the issue, Gajuwaka MLA Palla Srinivas Rao stated that land disputes in Visakhapatnam, particularly those involving Simhachalam lands, are now on the path to resolution. He revealed that a total of 12,149 houses had been built on encroached Simhachalam lands, and previous efforts to regularize them had been unsuccessful.

However, with the Chief Minister’s intervention, the state government has decided to transfer 610 acres of land to the Simhachalam Devasthanam instead of the initially proposed 420 acres. The registration value of this land is estimated to be Rs. 5,300 crore. The process is expected to be completed within the next two to three months, bringing legal clarity and ownership rights to thousands of families.

Palla Srinivas Rao further stated that the government has allocated 610 acres of land to Simhachalam Devasthanam in various areas, including Pedagantyada and Gajuwaka. He explained that the lands being allotted would allow the temple to cultivate sandalwood trees and carry out other development activities.

Additionally, the Chief Minister has approved the regularization of Inam lands in Gajuwaka. He clarified that previous governments had issued land ownership documents under GOs 299 and 386, but they had not granted complete ownership rights. The current government is now ensuring full land rights for all beneficiaries under the regularization scheme.