From eviction fears to land titles: Andhra Pradesh will regularise thousands of Vizag homes

The Andhra Pradesh government has taken an unprecedented step by regularising more than 26,000 unauthorised houses situated on government land in Visakhapatnam, a move that breaks the pattern of previous administrations. Officials estimate the market value of the seized land to be Rs 8,800 crore. House-site title deeds will be handed over to the families on September 19, officials revealed.

"These decades-long waits are finally coming to an end," stated officials. "The dreams of thousands of families to secure rights over their homes are on the brink of becoming a reality." The government is granting these rights to 28,445 families who have lived on government land for years.

The decision was announced by Minister Naidu in a statement. He emphasized that the move benefits families across 11 mandals, who have collectively settled on 1,933,853 square yards of land valued at Rs 8,874 crore. Title documents for the house sites will be issued to the affected households.

Those who have battled to retain their land expressed relief over the announcement. B Anantha Lakshmi, head of a committee fighting for rights in Gajuwaka, highlighted that the families can now rest easy. The threat of eviction and demolition of their homes for decades was a constant concern. Many families were deceived into believing the land was private property, and some built rudimentary houses due to lack of alternatives. Their children grew up in these homes, and moving away was not an option.

The government also indicated that around 24,000 families are likely to receive a similar benefit. Revenue Minister A Satya Prasad explained that the houses are being granted "compassionate grounds" and come at a time when "governments are demolishing illegal constructions on government lands and seizing them."

This policy marks a significant deviation from previous administrations. Due to extensive encroachment on expensive government land, successive governments, including the previous Chandrababu Naidu regime, were hesitant to regularise such constructions, fearing it might encourage more illegal developments. In the past, the government explored the option of taking back the land and auctioning it, but this option was dismissed due to potential litigation.