Land acquisition for data center, steel plant challenging task for Govt.

Land acquisition for the proposed Reliance data center at Bhogapuram and the greenfield steel plant of Super Smelters Limited near Gurla has become a major challenge for the government as local residents have resisted the projects. Since the government does not have its own land in these places, it was forced to acquire private land in these places. It has become a herculean task for officials to convince residents that both projects will create a lot of economic activity and job opportunities for young people in the region. Recently, the state government decided to set aside 855 acres of land in Vizianagaram district to enable Reliance Industries Limited to set up its data center and cable landing station at an estimated cost of ₹1,00,000.

Several farmers from Polipalli, Bhogapuram and other places have asked the government to withdraw its proposal to acquire agricultural land for the project. Several farmers including Padala Srinivasa Rao, A. Prasada Rao and others have requested the government to withdraw GO No. 30, which was issued for the acquisition of land for the data centre. The same is the case with the green field steel plant. Super Smelters Limited Company has proposed to invest around ₹8,000 crore in the project.

Residents who have vehemently opposed the project have submitted several representations to the officials and recently staged protests near the Vizianagaram Collector’s office.

Vizianagaram Collector S. Ramsundar Reddy and Joint Collector S. Sedhu Madhavan appealed to residents to extend their support to ensure a better future for thousands of people. They said the government would provide them decent compensation under the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013.

“A senior official said that farmers who give up their land will get a decent financial package, houses, jobs for eligible family members. He hoped that the farmers would come forward very soon to cooperate with the government, which has secured the best package for farmers who have given land for the construction of an international airport at Bhogapuram in Vizianagaram district.”

Published – 25 May 2026 20:03 IST