Dasapalla Land Row: Questions Raised Over 100-Foot Road in VMRDA Master Plan!

The Dasapalla lands in Visakhapatnam have long been a source of enormous financial gains for political leaders. When the TDP was in power, the YSRCP accused it of exploiting these lands. When the YSRCP came to power, the TDP made similar allegations. Both parties repeatedly accused each other of grabbing valuable land. Now, according to highly reliable sources, both parties have allegedly reached an understanding to share stakes in these lands, which are worth several thousand crore rupees. During the YSRCP government's tenure, the lands were removed from the prohibited 22-A list. The government reportedly cited court orders as the basis for taking that decision. Sources say that even before the lands were removed from the list, development agreements had already been finalized with companies linked to individuals close to senior leaders in the then government.

                                    According to the information, the landowners were given only a small share, while developers received a much larger stake, indicating the level of pressure allegedly exerted by the then ruling party. Since the coalition government assumed office, efforts have reportedly been underway to settle issues related to these lands, which are valued at thousands of crores. Several rounds of discussions are said to have taken place. According to highly reliable sources, the matter has now reached its final stage. It is being alleged that a key minister, who is said to be playing a dominant role in the coalition government, a person popularly known within the TDP as "Kim," and an MP considered close to that minister were all involved in the process. Sources claim that only after an agreement on profit-sharing was reached, a proposal was made to develop a 100-foot road through the Dasapalla lands. They further allege that this proposal has now been incorporated into the Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region Development Authority (VMRDA) Master Plan.

                                          Earlier as well, the YSRCP government had proposed a 100-foot road through the Dasapalla lands, claiming it would facilitate development. However, the proposal drew widespread criticism, with allegations that it would primarily benefit real estate developers. The issue eventually reached both the courts and the National Green Tribunal (NGT). Initially, the existing 40-foot road in the area was proposed to be widened to 60 feet, then 80 feet, and now the latest Master Plan proposes expanding it to 100 feet. Critics allege that the coalition government is now supporting a move that would significantly increase the value of lands allegedly held by individuals close to senior YSRCP leaders. They claim this indicates that substantial behind-the-scenes financial dealings may have taken place.

                            If approval is granted for the 100-foot road, developers would reportedly become eligible to construct high-rise buildings in the area. This, in turn, is expected to generate profits worth thousands of crores. According to the allegations, the proposal was included in the Master Plan to enable those involved to secure a share of those gains. Another point being discussed is that local TDP leaders who had previously opposed the 100-foot road proposal are now supporting it, making it a major topic of debate. At present, M.V. Pranav Gopal serves as the Chairman of the VMRDA. He is said to be a close associate of TDP National Working President and Minister Nara Lokesh. As a result, discussions are reportedly taking place within TDP circles that such a significant decision concerning Visakhapatnam could not have been taken without Nara Lokesh's knowledge.

                                There is also widespread speculation that this single deal alone has resulted in the exchange of hundreds of crores of rupees, given that the Dasapalla lands themselves are worth several thousand crores. A senior leader reportedly alleged that approving the 100-foot road would substantially enhance the value of these lands and that leaders from both parties had agreed to share the benefits. The perception that the state's two major political parties—TDP and YSRCP—which had once fiercely accused each other over the Dasapalla lands, have now reached a settlement together has become a major topic of discussion in Visakhapatnam.