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Amidst Protests from Farmers, Fisherfolk, Andhra Pradesh Government Cancels Machilipatnam Port Project

Reported by

Surabhi Bhandari

Legal Review by

Edited by

Updated by

Published on

September 19, 2016

March 11, 2023

Edited on

September 19, 2016

State

Andhra Pradesh

Sector

Infrastructure

People Affected by Conflict

2702

Households Affected by Conflict

Land Area Affected (in Hectares)

4994

ha

Starting Year

2007

Location of Conflict

Machilipatnam

Manginapudi, Gopuvanipalem, Tavisipudi, Karagraharam and Mekavanipalem villages

Krishna

Reason or Cause of Conflict

Port

Land Conflict Summary

In August 2019, the state government cancelled the concession agreement for the Machilipatnam Port project with Navayuga Engineering Company Limited (NECL). The cancellation comes just five months after former Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu laid the foundation stone for the deep sea port in February 2019.
Since its announcement, residents of Machilipatnam mandal in Krishna district had opposed acquisition of their land for the Machilipatnam Industrial Corridor that will support the Machilipatnam Port.
The port was part of the government’s plan to focus on port-led development. After the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh, the state government pushed to revive port development plans by leveraging its long coastline. The plan was to construct a deep sea port and an industrial corridor for port-based industries. In 2009, the NECL was awarded the concession agreement to develop the port on a 50-year basis.
For the industrial corridor, the government decided to acquire land under the state's land pooling scheme by issuing a notification in August 2015 for over 12,000 acres. A Machilipatnam Urban Development Authority (MUDA) was constituted in 2016 to implement the industrial corridor project.
This was followed by protests by farmers and fisherfolk. They demanded immediate withdrawal of the land acquisition notification. The protesting farmers said they were not against port development using the land that had already been acquired but was opposed to the government's bid to acquire more land in the name of developing ancillary industries. The government withdrew the notification in June 2018.
In February 2020, the Machilipatnam Urban Development Authority, whose main task is to acquire land for the port and industrial corridor, was give jurisdiction over 12 mandals.

Fact Sheet

Demand/Contention of the Affected Community

Refusal to give up land for the project

Other Demand/Contention of the Affected Community

Region Classification

Urban and Rural

Type of Land

Common and Private

Type of Common Land

Forest and Non-Forest, Non-Forest (Grazing Land), Non-Forest (Other than Grazing Land)

What was the action taken by the police?

How many people did the police detain or arrest?

What is the current status of the detained/accused persons?

Did the person face any violence while in police custody?

Did the person face any violence while in police custody?

If any arrests took place, were the accused persons produced before a judge within 24 hours of the arrest?

If the accused was not produced before a magistrate within 24 hours, or not produced at all, what were the reasons?

Legislation under which the accused was charged

Was the accused person informed of their right to legal representation? Did the accused person have access to legal aid?

In cases where the accused person approached the court for bail, was bail granted?

Why was bail granted or rejected? If granted, what were the bail conditions and quantum of bail?

Were there any other notable irregularities that took place, or other significant details?

Details of sources (names of accused, names and numbers of any lawyers, names of any police officers contacted)

Status of Project

Original Project Deadline

Whether the Project has been Delayed

Significance of Land to Land Owners/Users

Whether the project was stalled due to land conflict

Source/Reference

Total investment involved (in Crores):

11900

Type of investment:

Year of Estimation

2013

Page Number In Investment Document:

Has the Conflict Ended?

No

When did it end?

Why did the conflict end?

Legal Data

Categories of Legislations Involved in the Conflict

Land Acquisition Laws, Central/State Government Policy

Legislations/Policies Involved

Machilipatnam Area Development Land Pooling Scheme (Formulation and Implementation) Rules, 2016
Rule 12 [This provision enlists the manner in which the implementation of the Land Pooling Scheme shall be undertaken]
Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013
Section 2 (1) (iii) [Application of Act to Industrial Corridors]; Section 82 (2) [This provision provides for the restoration of land and compensation to be made by the collector against damage done (if any) to the land so acquired to persons interested therein]; Section 93 [Appropriate government can withdraw from acquisition if possession has not been taken and the collector shall determine and pay the amount of compensation due to damage suffered owing to acquisition proceedings to persons interested]
Indian Ports Act, 1908
Section 5 (1) [The government has the power to alter the limits of any port under the act subject to the rights of private property]
Andhra Pradesh Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Rules, 2014
Section 34 [This provision provides for the Reconveyance of Land to the Original Land Owner]
Andhra Pradesh Maritime Board Act, 2018
Section 15 (1) (c) [Function of the maritime board to promote use, development and improvement of non-major ports in the state]
Andhra Pradesh Metropolitan Region and Urban Development Authorities Act, 2016
Section 5 (4) [This provision enlists the powers and functions of the Development authority regarding land development which include acquiring land, approval of land development schemes, undertaking land pooling and town planning schemes and their implementation and providing alternative areas for rehabilitation of persons displaced]; Section 6 (3) [Powers and functions of the executive committee to undertake the scrutiny of the Land Pooling Schemes or Town Planning Schemes and the scrutiny of proposals of land acquisition]; Section 7 (3) [Powers and Functions of the Metropolitan Commissioner / Vice- Chairperson to arrange for preparation and implementation of the Land Acquisition proposals or Land Pooling Scheme or Town Planning Scheme after approval]; Section 88 [This provision stipulates the penalty for unauthorized development or for use in contravention with sanctioned plans and schemes subject to permissions]; Section 93 [The Authority may acquire any property by any means permissible under any law] Section 94 [The Authority may acquire land based on mutual agreement]; Section 95 [The government has the power to acquire land under the Land Acquisition Act of 2013 at the request of relevant authority]; Section 98 [The authority may acquire land for public purpose through agreement with owner by way transferrable development rights] 
Section 34 [This provision provides for the Reconveyance of Land to the Original Land Owner]
  1. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

  2. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

  3. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

  4. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

  5. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

  6. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

  7. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

Whether claims/objections were made as per procedure in the relevant statute

Yes

What was the claim(s)/objection(s) raised by the community?

What was the Decision of the Concerned Government Department?

Legal Processes and Loopholes Enabling the Conflict:

Controversial land acquisition by the government

Legal Status:

Out of Court

Status of Case In Court

Whether any adjudicatory body was approached

Name of the adjudicatory body

Name(s) of the Court(s)

Case Number

Main Reasoning/Decision of court

Major Human Rights Violations Related to the Conflict:

No items found.

Whether criminal law was used against protestors:

Reported Details of the Violation:

Date of Violation

Location of Violation

Additional Information

Nature of Protest

Protests/marches

Blockades

Government Departments Involved in the Conflict:

Machilipatnam Area Development Authority (MADA)

PSUs Involved in the Conflict:

Machilipatnam Urban Development Authority

Did LCW Approach Government Authorities for Comments?

Name, Designation and Comment of the Government Authorities Approached

Corporate Parties Involved in the Conflict:

Navayuga Construction Company

Did LCW Approach Corporate Parties for Comments?

Communities/Local Organisations in the Conflict:

Local Farmers (mostly Kapus), fisherfolk (Pallekarulu), agricultural labourers (mostly Dalits and Other Backward Castes), tenant farmers, Andhra Pradesh Agricultural Workers' Union, Citizens Rights Organisation, All India Kisan Sabha

Information on the use of criminal law

What was the action taken by the police?

How many people did the police detain or arrest?

What is the current status of the detained/accused persons?

Did the person face any violence while in police custody?

If any arrests took place, were the accused persons produced before a judge within 24 hours of the arrest?

If the accused was not produced before a magistrate within 24 hours, or not produced at all, what were the reasons?

Legislation under which the accused was charged

Was the accused person informed of their right to legal representation? Did the accused person have access to legal aid?

In cases where the accused person approached the court for bail, was bail granted?

Why was bail granted or rejected? If granted, what were the bail conditions and quantum of bail?

Were there any other notable irregularities that took place, or other significant details?

Resources

Resources Related to Conflict

  • News Articles Related to the Conflict:
  • Documents Related to the Conflict:
  • Links Related to the Conflict:

Images

Image Credit:  

Image Credit:  

Video

In August 2019, the state government cancelled the concession agreement for the Machilipatnam Port project with Navayuga Engineering Company Limited (NECL). The cancellation comes just five months after former Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu laid the foundation stone for the deep sea port in February 2019.
Since its announcement, residents of Machilipatnam mandal in Krishna district had opposed acquisition of their land for the Machilipatnam Industrial Corridor that will support the Machilipatnam Port.
The port was part of the government’s plan to focus on port-led development. After the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh, the state government pushed to revive port development plans by leveraging its long coastline. The plan was to construct a deep sea port and an industrial corridor for port-based industries. In 2009, the NECL was awarded the concession agreement to develop the port on a 50-year basis.
For the industrial corridor, the government decided to acquire land under the state's land pooling scheme by issuing a notification in August 2015 for over 12,000 acres. A Machilipatnam Urban Development Authority (MUDA) was constituted in 2016 to implement the industrial corridor project.
This was followed by protests by farmers and fisherfolk. They demanded immediate withdrawal of the land acquisition notification. The protesting farmers said they were not against port development using the land that had already been acquired but was opposed to the government's bid to acquire more land in the name of developing ancillary industries. The government withdrew the notification in June 2018.
In February 2020, the Machilipatnam Urban Development Authority, whose main task is to acquire land for the port and industrial corridor, was give jurisdiction over 12 mandals.

Demand/Contention of the Affected Community

Refusal to give up land for the project

Other Demand/Contention of the Affected Community

Region Classification

Urban and Rural

Type of Land

Common and Private

Type of Common Land

Forest and Non-Forest, Non-Forest (Grazing Land), Non-Forest (Other than Grazing Land)

Total investment involved (in Crores):

11900

Type of investment:

Year of Estimation

2013

Page Number In Investment Document:

Has the Conflict Ended?

No

When did it end?

Why did the conflict end?

Categories of Legislations Involved in the Conflict

Land Acquisition Laws, Central/State Government Policy

Legislations/Policies Involved

Machilipatnam Area Development Land Pooling Scheme (Formulation and Implementation) Rules, 2016
Rule 12 [This provision enlists the manner in which the implementation of the Land Pooling Scheme shall be undertaken]
Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013
Section 2 (1) (iii) [Application of Act to Industrial Corridors]; Section 82 (2) [This provision provides for the restoration of land and compensation to be made by the collector against damage done (if any) to the land so acquired to persons interested therein]; Section 93 [Appropriate government can withdraw from acquisition if possession has not been taken and the collector shall determine and pay the amount of compensation due to damage suffered owing to acquisition proceedings to persons interested]
Indian Ports Act, 1908
Section 5 (1) [The government has the power to alter the limits of any port under the act subject to the rights of private property]
Andhra Pradesh Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Rules, 2014
Section 34 [This provision provides for the Reconveyance of Land to the Original Land Owner]
Andhra Pradesh Maritime Board Act, 2018
Section 15 (1) (c) [Function of the maritime board to promote use, development and improvement of non-major ports in the state]
Andhra Pradesh Metropolitan Region and Urban Development Authorities Act, 2016
Section 5 (4) [This provision enlists the powers and functions of the Development authority regarding land development which include acquiring land, approval of land development schemes, undertaking land pooling and town planning schemes and their implementation and providing alternative areas for rehabilitation of persons displaced]; Section 6 (3) [Powers and functions of the executive committee to undertake the scrutiny of the Land Pooling Schemes or Town Planning Schemes and the scrutiny of proposals of land acquisition]; Section 7 (3) [Powers and Functions of the Metropolitan Commissioner / Vice- Chairperson to arrange for preparation and implementation of the Land Acquisition proposals or Land Pooling Scheme or Town Planning Scheme after approval]; Section 88 [This provision stipulates the penalty for unauthorized development or for use in contravention with sanctioned plans and schemes subject to permissions]; Section 93 [The Authority may acquire any property by any means permissible under any law] Section 94 [The Authority may acquire land based on mutual agreement]; Section 95 [The government has the power to acquire land under the Land Acquisition Act of 2013 at the request of relevant authority]; Section 98 [The authority may acquire land for public purpose through agreement with owner by way transferrable development rights] 
Section 34 [This provision provides for the Reconveyance of Land to the Original Land Owner]
  1. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

  2. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

  3. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

  4. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

  5. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

  6. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

  7. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

Whether claims/objections were made as per procedure in the relevant statute

Yes

What was the claim(s)/objection(s) raised by the community?

What was the Decision of the Concerned Government Department?

Legal Processes and Loopholes Enabling the Conflict:

Controversial land acquisition by the government

Legal Status:

Out of Court

Status of Case In Court

Whether any adjudicatory body was approached

Name of the adjudicatory body

Name(s) of the Court(s)

Case Number

Main Reasoning/Decision of court

Major Human Rights Violations Related to the Conflict:

No items found.

Whether criminal law was used against protestors:

Reported Details of the Violation:

Date of Violation

Location of Violation

Nature of Protest

Protests/marches

Blockades

Government Departments Involved in the Conflict:

Machilipatnam Area Development Authority (MADA)

PSUs Involved in the Conflict:

Machilipatnam Urban Development Authority

Did LCW Approach Government Authorities for Comments?

Name, Designation and Comment of the Government Authorities Approached

Corporate Parties Involved in the Conflict:

Navayuga Construction Company

Did LCW Approach Corporate Parties for Comments?

Communities/Local Organisations in the Conflict:

Local Farmers (mostly Kapus), fisherfolk (Pallekarulu), agricultural labourers (mostly Dalits and Other Backward Castes), tenant farmers, Andhra Pradesh Agricultural Workers' Union, Citizens Rights Organisation, All India Kisan Sabha

Resources Related to Conflict

  • News Articles Related to the Conflict:
  • Documents Related to the Conflict:
  • Links Related to the Conflict:

Image Credit:  

Image Credit:  

Documented By

Text Link

Reviewed By

Text Link

Updated By

Text Link

Edited By

Text LinkLand Conflict Watch

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