Collector assures fair compensation for Moolapet Port rail land acquisition

In a move to address community concerns, the Srikakulam District administration convened a meeting on Saturday with representatives from six villages impacted by the land acquisition for the Moolapet Port railway track project. The meeting, led by District Collector Dr. Manazir Jilani Samoon, underscored the administration’s commitment to transparency, fair compensation, and minimizing disruptions throughout the land acquisition process.
The collector said that the Land acquisition will adhere to the Land Acquisition Act with additional compensation offered to ensure fairness. Towards this initiative, district officials conducted on-site inspections during harvest season to guarantee accurate land valuation. Alternative arrangements will be implemented to prevent flooding of remaining agricultural land. Farmers’ concerns regarding access to fields and potential flooding were acknowledged, and further discussions are planned to address them comprehensively. Dr. Samoon emphasized the necessity of land acquisition for the development of both the port and associated road infrastructure.
District Joint Collector M. Naveen provided a detailed explanation of the land requirement, compensation process, and commitment to fair treatment. Tekkali Sub-Collector Nurul Qamar stressed the urgency of acquiring the land for the Maritime Board to proceed with the project. Farmers raised valid concerns about compensation adequacy, access to their fields, and potential flooding risks. Dr. Samoon assured them that their concerns would be addressed through further discussions and that the land acquisition process would be conducted with minimal disruption to their lives.
The meeting established a constructive dialogue between the district administration and affected communities. By prioritizing transparency, fair compensation, open communication, and proactive mitigation strategies, the project aims to achieve its development goals while minimizing negative impacts on local farmers and their livelihoods.