3. Land Pooling in Amaravati: A Unique Urban Development Model

To build the new capital, the Andhra Pradesh government introduced a voluntary land pooling scheme in 2015, a first of its kind in India. Under this model, landowners surrendered their agricultural land to the government in exchange for developed plots and financial compensation. The scheme aimed to aggregate fragmented land parcels, enabling large-scale urban planning and infrastructure development. Approximately 33,733 acres were pooled from 27 villages, with the government providing annuity payments for ten years to those who participated. While the scheme was largely successful, some farmers expressed concerns over compensation rates and the impact on their livelihoods. The land pooling initiative became a case study for collaborative urban development, balancing the interests of landowners with the state’s need for a modern capital.