Andhra Pradesh’s proposed Neradi barrage land acquisition in Odisha's Gajapati triggers outrage

Strong opposition has erupted in Odisha’s Gajapati district against the proposed Neradi Barrage project planned by neighbouring Andhra Pradesh on the Vamsadhara River. Although the Supreme Court’s ruling is reportedly in favour of Andhra Pradesh regarding the project, residents living along the river have made it clear that they are unwilling to give up their ancestral land. The proposed barrage has triggered growing concern among villagers as the process to acquire around 106 acres of land in Gajapati district for the project has been initiated. Residents from the affected areas have been opposing the proposed land acquisition from the very beginning. According to information available, the Kashinagar Tehsildar had recently written to the concerned authorities regarding the identification and verification of land in the area. The letter stated that officials from Odisha and Andhra Pradesh would conduct a joint inspection of the proposed land on August 28. News of the proposed land acquisition has sparked anger and resentment among local residents. People from three villages likely to be affected by the project gathered together and strongly protested against the move. The villagers have maintained that they would rather face any hardship than abandon their homes and ancestral land. They are demanding that their concerns be addressed before any further steps are taken towards land acquisition.