Sat Jul 26 02:09:48 UTC 2025: **News Article:**
**Karedu Farmers Resist Land Acquisition for Solar Plant, Sparking Protests**
**Nellore, July 26, 2025:** Residents of Karedu village in Andhra Pradesh are fiercely protesting the planned acquisition of their fertile lands for a massive solar photovoltaic (SPV) module manufacturing plant by Indosol Solar Private Ltd. (ISPL), a subsidiary of Shirdi Sai Electricals Ltd. (SSEL). The ₹69,000-crore project, slated to generate 13,050 jobs, has ignited fears among farmers and fisherfolk who rely on the land for their livelihoods.
The project was initially planned near Ramayapatnam port, but following a change in government, the land was re-allocated to a refinery project. The government then offered ISPL 8,348 acres in Karedu, prompting widespread opposition.
Farmers, who cultivate multiple crops annually, fear the loss of their fertile soil and traditional way of life. Fisherfolk also expressed concerns that they would be unable to find comparable paying jobs at the plant.
“If they take away our land, we will struggle to live,” said M. Srinivasulu, a local farmer.
The district administration maintains that the project will benefit the region and promises fair compensation, including 2.5 times the market rate for land, housing, and a resettlement package. District Collector O. Anand assured that only minimal fertile land will be acquired.
However, concerns remain over the lack of a Social Impact Assessment (SIA) for the project and the long-term environmental consequences of the solar manufacturing process.
“Does ISPL have the technical capabilities to manufacture everything from quartz-to-modules? How can the government help a private company that has no track record in taking up such a crucial and complex project,” questioned Y. Rajesh of the Human Rights Forum (HRF).
While ISPL aims to establish a vertically integrated plant, questions about their current capacity and potential for pollution remain.
Despite assurances from ISPL CEO Sharat Chandra about job creation and green initiatives, skepticism persists among the affected communities. Protests are ongoing, with political leaders voicing their support for the villagers.
The standoff highlights the tension between economic development and the preservation of traditional livelihoods in Andhra Pradesh.
**Summary of Original Text:**
The text reports on the resistance of farmers and fisherfolk in Karedu village, Andhra Pradesh, to the government’s plan to acquire their land for a solar module manufacturing plant. The project, by Indosol Solar Private Ltd., is intended to create jobs and boost the economy, but locals fear the loss of their agricultural livelihoods and way of life. Concerns are raised about the lack of a social impact assessment, the environmental consequences, and the company’s capacity to deliver on its promises. While the government promises compensation and resettlement, protests continue as residents fight to protect their land.
First Piper 