After 18-Year Battle, Andhra Pradesh Reclaims 14,000 Acres from Brahmani Steels

In a decisive move ending an almost two-decade-long legal and administrative saga, the Andhra Pradesh government has officially taken back 14,000 acres of land from Brahmani Steels in the YSR Kadapa district. The coveted land, estimated to be worth around INR 5,000 crores, has reverted to state control after the company failed to utilize it for the promised mega steel plant and airport project. This reclamation marks a significant victory for public interest over prolonged private inaction, finally clearing the path for future industrial growth in the region. The saga began in 2007 when the then YS Rajasekhara Reddy government allotted the vast tract to Brahmani Steels, promoted by former Karnataka minister Gali Janardhan Reddy. Despite the grand promises, including a steel plant and an airport, virtually no construction materialized, stalling industrial development and job creation. The project's stagnation was further entangled by the sudden demise of YS Rajasekhara Reddy, subsequent illegal mining allegations against Gali Janardhan Reddy, and various policy shifts, leading to repeated but previously unsuccessful attempts by successive governments to reclaim the land. With District Collector Cherukuri Sridhar recent initiative, the land is now firmly back in government hands, registered as public property, and poised for future industrial endeavors. This move could reignite discussions around the long-demanded Rayalaseema Steel Plant, a project currently mired in political tug-of-war between the ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and the opposition YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) over credit for the JSW Steel plant proposed for the area. The focus now shifts to how the Andhra Pradesh government will leverage this valuable asset to finally fulfill the region's long-standing industrial aspirations.