Eenadu reported that Google is setting up a massive data center in Thurlapadu near Vishakapatnam. The Andhra Pradesh government allocated 200 acres for the project and began land acquisition, announcing a payment of ₹17 lakh per acre as per the government market value.
After requests from farmers, the government raised the compensation to ₹19.55 lakh per acre. Under the Land Acquisition Act, landowners are entitled to 2.5 times that rate. While most believed the process was complete, a new petition challenged the acquisition.
Shockingly, the petition was filed in the name of a farmer who had already passed away. Investigations revealed that YSR Congress leaders and senior officials from the previous government had allegedly taken over 300 acres illegally and registered them under benami farmers.
A former minister was also linked to the case. Around 50 farmers had earlier agreed to sell their assigned (D-Patta) lands to a benami of a YSR Congress leader for ₹7 lakh per acre. The benami paid only half and failed to clear the balance even after 18 months.
Farmers were initially ready to give their lands to the government. But once benamis stepped in, disputes arose. Officials found credible evidence that the recent petition was filed under pressure from these vested groups.
Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has ordered officials to investigate and identify those behind this obstruction. Google plans to invest $6 billion (₹50,000 crore) to build a 1-gigawatt facility here, its biggest outside the US, with $2 billion earmarked for renewable energy.
This project promises transformative growth for Uttarandhra, yet political interference and vested interests are now threatening a historic opportunity.
