AMARAVATI CAPITAL PROJECT: LEGAL REFORMS TO ENSURE CONTINUITY & PROTECT FARMERS’ RIGHTS BEYOND POLITICAL TRANSITIONS

AUTHOR – MANNE KEERTHIVARDHAN, STUDENT AT AMITY LAW SCHOOL, AMITY UNIVERSITY, MUMBAI

BEST CITATION – MANNE KEERTHIVARDHAN, AMARAVATI CAPITAL PROJECT: LEGAL REFORMS TO ENSURE CONTINUITY & PROTECT FARMERS’ RIGHTS BEYOND POLITICAL TRANSITIONS, INDIAN JOURNAL OF LEGAL REVIEW (IJLR), 5 (9) OF 2025, PG. 309-317, APIS – 3920 – 0001 & ISSN – 2583-2344.

This article is published in the collaborated special issue of Amity Law School, Amity University, Mumbai and the Institute of Legal Education (ILE), titled “Emerging Trends in Law: Exploring Recent Developments and Reforms” (ISBN: 978-81-986345-1-1).

ABSTRACT

The Amaravati capital project has suffered severe distress because of political metamorphosis, beginning with its launch in 2015, then the 2019 policy reversal, and the 2025 comeback. Prima facie, this instability spells out an acute necessity of protection of long-term infrastructure projects from the volatility of politics. By reviewing the Amaravati case, this study finds major gaps in protection of the farmers’ rights and continuation of projects under APCRDA Act and RFCTLARR Act, 2013. Telling recommendations suggest legally enforceable farmer agreements with land-for-land compensation and annuity payments guaranteed, constitutional guards against arbitrary cancellation of proposed projects, and an arm’s length oversight authority ensuring transparency in implementation. By studying models such as the Dholera SIR of Gujarat and best practices of the world, the research provides practical solutions to moderate the needs of development with protection of stakeholders. These reforms seek the stability of policies that can withstand state transitions and guarantee farmers’ livelihoods – important lessons for sustainable urban development and infrastructure governance in India.

KEYWORDS: Amaravati, Land acquisition, Farmers’ rights, Political continuity, Legal safeguards, Infrastructure policy