Farmers protest NH-16 over land acquisition for solar project

Nellore City News

Posted by AI on 2025-09-06 03:02:15 | Last Updated by AI on 2025-09-06 06:29:05

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Hundreds of angry farmers blocked NH-16, the expansive highway that connects Chennai to Visakhapatnam, demanding an immediate halt to the forcible acquisition of their land in Nellore district for a solar project. The demonstration escalated as protestors, fearing the loss of their livelihoods and a threat to their water sources, refused to budge until their grievances were addressed.

The land in question, approximately 2,400 acres, is part of a massive initiative by the Andhra Pradesh government to embark on solar power generation. However, the project has sparked controversy as farmers claim it would displace them and jeopardize their irrigation and farming practices.

The protest, which caused traffic chaos along the vital corridor, left motorists stranded for hours. Police finally stepped in and negotiated with the farmers, promising to convey their concerns to higher authorities.

The incident has thrown a spotlight on the tricky balance between ambitious renewable energy plans and protecting the rights of local communities.

Quote: "This land feeds us, and gives us life. We cannot simply watch it be taken away by some fancy project that will only benefit a select few," said one protestor, summing up the frustration and anxiety of those gathered.

The local authorities are now awaiting further instructions from the higher courts on how to proceed.

Conclusion:

The standoff on NH-16 is a tense reminder of the complexities involved in balancing environmental sustainability with the preservation of existing livelihoods. Until a resolution is reached, this impasse will continue to cast a shadow over what should have been a forward-thinking initiative in clean energy.

This issue underscores the necessity of comprehensive policy formulation and stakeholder engagement to mitigate these challenges and forge a more sustainable path ahead.

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