The Regional Ring Road (RRR) project in Telangana has sparked significant unrest among farmers as the land acquisition process for its northern segment gains momentum. With over 3,429 acres slated for acquisition to construct the 161.581-km expressway, fears of displacement and inadequate compensation are spreading across farming communities.
Farmers, whose livelihoods are intrinsically tied to their land, are deeply distressed. The estimated cost of the northern segment of the Hyderabad RRR has ballooned to approximately ₹15,000 crore from its initial estimate of ₹11,961.48 crore. However, the compensation offered to farmers remains largely unchanged. In many cases, the current norms provide payments that are just 10% of the prevailing market rates, which range from ₹50 lakh to ₹5 crore per acre, depending on proximity to urban areas.
Emotional and financial strain has already claimed lives. In a tragic incident, Nagavelli Chinna Lakshmaiah, a farmer from Varkatpally village, succumbed to a heart attack shortly after receiving a notification that his ancestral land would be acquired. Despite offers from private realtors, Lakshmaiah had refused to sell, valuing his land far beyond its monetary worth. His death marks the third such fatality in his family linked to the stress of potential displacement.
The affected farmers have been vocal in their opposition, staging protests and dharnas across districts. In Gajwel, farmers gathered en masse to express their grievances to local authorities, demanding fairer compensation and clarity on the acquisition process. Despite these efforts, officials, under heavy police protection, have pressed forward, citing the necessity of the project for regional development.
The preliminary notifications for land acquisition span five packages, covering areas from Girmapur in Sangareddy district to Rayagiri in Yadadri Bhongir district. Many farmers report feeling blindsided by the lack of transparency and communication regarding the alignment and compensation plans.
Farmers have repeatedly appealed to Roads and Buildings Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy, urging him to intervene and revise the RRR alignment. While the minister has assured his support, tangible actions to address farmers’ concerns remain elusive. In Choutuppal, demands have intensified for at least 75% of the market value as compensation, alongside comprehensive rehabilitation packages to safeguard the livelihoods of displaced families.
The project, originally proposed in 2018 with a budget of ₹9,164 crore, received approval from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) and moved into the consultancy phase in 2022. Rising material costs and delays have since inflated the project’s cost, but the financial burden on farmers—who bear the brunt of the acquisition—remains unaddressed.
The escalating tensions between authorities and farmers highlight broader issues of equitable development and social justice. Market values for the land in question vary widely based on proximity to Hyderabad, with farmers in prime areas feeling particularly shortchanged. Many argue that compensation packages for Hyderabad’s Fourth City project, which exceed ₹2 crore per acre, set a precedent for fairer payouts.
The land acquisition process has also illuminated a stark disconnect between government ambitions and grassroots realities. Farmers emphasize that their land represents more than economic value—it is a source of heritage, identity, and sustenance.
As protests continue, calls for government intervention grow louder. Experts suggest that revisiting compensation frameworks, ensuring transparent communication, and offering rehabilitation support could mitigate the crisis. Without these measures, the RRR project risks deepening socio-economic disparities in Telangana.
The stakes are high, with the RRR envisioned as a cornerstone of regional development. Yet, for the farmers whose lives are intertwined with the land, the cost of progress may be too great to bear.