Political slugfest breaks out between Andhra, Telangana…. over land prices

Amaravati: Land prices have triggered a new political slugfest between Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

From TDP Supremo N Chandrababu Naidu to Telangana chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, and IT Minister Gudivada Amarnath, politicians are fighting over land prices and not people's needs.

This all began with Chandrababu Naidu recently stating during a public meeting that the value of land in Andhra Pradesh has drastically dropped. "At times, people used to sell 1 acre in Andhra Pradesh and buy 4 acres in Telangana. Now with 1 acre sold in Telangana, we can buy more than 50 acres of land in Andhra Pradesh," said Naidu.

The statement was reaffirmed by CM KCR during a public meeting in Patancheru Assembly Assembly Constituency. Referring to what Naidu commented on the land prices, KCR said, "This is the change of fortune in Telangana. If there is a good government in place, anything is possible,".

On Thursday, Andhra Pradesh IT minister Gudivada Amarnath hit back at both Naidu and KCR.

"If we can sell 1 acre in Vizag, one can buy 150 acres in Telangana. We have that demand in Andhra Pradesh. The actual scene is different in Hyderabad and the rest of Telangana. KCR cannot cite Hyderabad as an example to draw an analogy," said Amarnath.

He stated that the real estate business is roaring and land rates are much high in Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, Narsipatnam, and many places in Andhra Pradesh, compared to Hyderabad.

" KCR made comments based on what Chandrababu Naidu said, which is silly. Political parties cannot insult neighboring states by just making such comments for their own political benefits or to boost their own state," the Minister added.

What do the real estate agents say?

The land prices in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana vary from place to place. Land in Rushikonda, and Bhogapuram in Visakhapatnam have different price tag, while Kankipadu, and Tadepalli in Vijayawada, have different rates. The land prices in both Telugu states depend on the development in that particular area.

After the state government announced its proposal of making Visakhapatnam as executive capital in 2020, there has been rise in land rates, especially in Bheemili, Vizainagaram, Bheemili, Pendurthi, Sabbavaram areas. However, the prices remain the same now.

A real estate owner from Visakhapatnam said, "There are few areas in Andhra Pradesh which have land rates equivalent to Hyderabad. However, the prices depend on the development. We cannot compare the states."

"For instance, the Kokapet area in Hyderabad is now developing with a 6-lane road. Gated communities developed by Raj Pushpa, and My Homes coming up. The area houses 50-floor and even 90-floor apartments. The area will grow so well in the next few years. This development scope is not seen in a city like Vizag now. Similarly, land rates in Yendada of Visakhapatnam have increased in the last few years due to its development," said a real estate person.