By

December 17, 2024

To,

Executive Director The World Bank Washington, D.C.

Dear Ms. / Mr.

We, civil society organizations from 17 countries, write to express our grave concerns regarding the Amaravati Sustainable Infrastructure and Institutional Development Project (Project ID: P507508), which is scheduled for Board approval on December 19, 2024.

This project was first presented to the World Bank in 2017, when the Bank approved a loan of US $300 million. However, before the financing details were finalized, the political landscape in the state changed, and the project was shelved in 2019. Five years later, the same political party that originally proposed the project has returned to power and is again seeking World Bank financing.

In 2017, local communities impacted by the project raised their concerns with the World Bank’s Inspection Panel (IPN), which submitted its Third Report and Recommendation in March 2019. The Panel’s findings highlighted significant issues with the project, particularly regarding the violation of the Bank’s Involuntary Resettlement Policy (OP/BP 4.12). These issues, including inadequate (and illusionary, as the Andhra Pradesh High Court has observed in its order of March 2022) compensation, lack of livelihood restoration, and the absence of necessary consultations, remain unresolved to this day. A High Court order on 03 March 2022 stated land pooling is illegal in the form it is being implemented. The past 10 years have demonstrated the serious gaps in LPS. there were protests by Land Pooling Scheme (LPS) farmers on the streets for more than 1,600 days with over 500 criminal cases have been filed including on the woman LPS farmers. Despite this, the project is being pushed forward under an increasingly authoritarian political climate, both at the state and national levels.

In October 2024, affected communities again approached the IPN with their concerns, anonymously again, fearing reprisals from the state. This reflects the continuing climate of fear and repression in which they live, and underscores the lack of adequate mechanisms for their voices to be heard.

The IPN’s 2019 Report made several critical recommendations, including the need for a thorough investigation into the alleged harm caused to local communities, particularly landless labourers who lost their livelihoods years ago. The Panel specifically highlighted that “access to temporary jobs” alone is insufficient, and that long-term income-generating opportunities must be created to achieve true livelihood restoration. The Panel also raised concerns over the LPS, noting that it had never been implemented at this scale and could set a dangerous precedent for future development projects. The adequacy of compensation, particularly whether it meets the replacement value, was also questioned.

Moreover, the Panel found that the Project documents lacked a comprehensive labour market analysis, and expressed concern over the transition from rural to urban livelihoods, a shift that inherently exposes the affected population to a high risk of impoverishment. Many of the Project- Affected Persons (PAPs) are illiterate and lack the financial or business skills needed to successfully transition to the proposed urban livelihoods.

Despite these serious concerns, the recommendations of the IPN have not been fully addressed, and the project is moving forward without considering the broader social and environmental implications. This disregard for due diligence is deeply troubling.

We call on the World Bank’s Board to take the following actions:

  1. Deferapproval of the Amaravati project and require further detailed studies, specifically in light of the Panel’s findings from 2019.
  2. Ensurestrict adherence to the Bank’s policies, including ensuring meaningful, transparent consultations with all affected communities, before the project Is approved.
  3. Resistpolitical pressures from the Government of India and take a courageous stand in defence of the rights of people, the environment, and the Bank’s stated commitments to sustainable development and social equity.

The World Bank has a historically contentious legacy in India, marked by projects such as the Narmada Dam, the Singrauli thermal power project, the Tata Mundra coal plant, the Mumbai Urban Transport Project, and the Himalayan dams, among others. We strongly urge the Bank not to allow the Amaravati project to be added to this list of failed or harmful initiatives.

We remain committed to standing in solidarity with the people who will be negatively impacted by the Amaravati project and will continue to support their struggle on all fronts.

Sincerely,

  1. Srilatha Pallakonda, UN – UNAMA, Afghanistan
  2. SHARIF JAMIL, Waterkeeper, Bangladesh
  3. Kazi Zaved Khalid Pasha, Joy Initiative for Right View, Bangladesh
  4. Dustin Schäfer, Urgewald, Germany
  5. Arun Kumar, Retd. Prof JNU, India
  6. Eric Pinto, National Association of Peoples Movements, India
  7. Vaishnavi Varadarajan, International Accountability Project, India
  8. Jiten Yumnam, Centre for Research and Advocacy Manipur, India
  9. Meera Sanghamitra, National Alliance of People’s Movements (NAPM), India
  10. Mallela Seshagiri Rao, Capital Region Farmers Federation, India
  11. Kalpana Gadde, Affected community, India
  12. John Michael, National Urban Struggles Forum – NAPM, India
  13. Anupa Sagar Kujur, Land Conflict Watch, India
  14. Jay Vyas, National Hawker Federation, India
  15. Aldo Micheal, Blue green resources center, India
  16. Jay Vyas, Gujarat Laari Pathara Ekta Union, India
  17. Raj Kumar sinha, Bargi Bandh Visthapit Evam prabhaavit sangh, India
  18. Thomas Franco, People First, India
  19. Ashok Choudhary, All India Union of Forest Working People, India
  20. Cedric Prakash, Prashant initiative for Human Rights Justice & Peace, India
  21. Himanshu Thakkar, South Asia Network on Dams, Rivers and People, India
  22. EAS Sarma Former Secretary, Government of India, India
  23. Linda Chhakchhuak, Concerned Citizen, India
  24. Josephine Joseph, Centre for Women’s Solidarity network, India
  25. Rupa Chinai, Independent journalist, India
  26. Nityanand Jayaraman, Vettiver Collective, India
  27. Arundhati Dhuru, National Alliance of People’s Movements (NAPM), India
  28. Ranjit Gadgil, Parisar, India
  29. Gautam Mody, New Trade Union Initiative, India
  30. Dr Sanjay Mangala Gopal, National Alliance of People’s Movements – NAPM, India
  31. Rajani, Growthwatch, India
  32. Bhargavi S. Rao, Independent Researcher, India
  33. Ashok Shrimali, Mines, minerals & People, India
  34. Ammu Abraham, Forum against oppression of Women, India
  35. Sanjeev, DASAM India, India
  36. Nancy Gaikwad, Jagrut Kashtakari Sanghatana, India
  37. Magline Philomina, Teeradesa Vanitha Vedi, India
  38. Subhasini Ali, Former Member of Parliament, India
  39. Dinesh Abrol, Retd Professor, India
  40. Soumya Dutta, Bharat Jan Vigyan Jatha, India
  41. Debajit Dutta, National Alliance of People’s Movements (NAPM), India
  42. Dr. Sugan Barat, Sarvoday, India
  43. Katta Usha, Capital Region Farmers Federation, India
  44. Karumanchirangarao, Capital Region Farmers Federation, India
  45. Kjyothilakshmi, Capital Region Farmers Federation, India
  46. Lakshmiprasanna, Capital Region Farmers Federation, India
  47. K Naga Deepika, Capital Region Farmers Federation, India
  48. K Rama Devi, Capital Region Farmers Federation, India
  49. Lara Jesani, People’s Union for CIvil Liberties, India
  50. Mvenkatareddy, Capital Region Farmers Federation, India
  51. Mvsramireddy, Capital Region Farmers Federation, India
  52. Pasupuleti Jamalaiah, Capital Region Farmers Federation, India
  53. Pasupuleti Parvathi Devi, Capital Region Farmers Federation, India
  54. Pasupuleti Vijay, Capital Region Farmers Federation, India
  55. M anasuya, Capital Region Farmers Federation, India
  56. Madala.bhuvaneshwar Rao, Capital Region Farmers Federation, India
  57. M Ramesh Reddy, Capital Region Farmers Federation, India
  58. Venkata Siva Rao, Capital Region Farmers Federation, India
  59. Kallam Aravindanath Reddy, Capital Region Farmers Federation, India
  60. Sarath Kumar, Kalapala Capital Region Farmers Federation, India
  61. Madhavi Surineedi, Capital Region Farmers Federation, India
  62. Nitish Pavan, Capital Region Farmers Federation, India
  63. Palagani Sambasiva Rao, Capital Region Farmers Federation, India
  64. V. Yaswanth Sri, Capital Region Farmers Federation, India
  65. Srinivasarao Kapa, Capital Region Farmers Federation, India
  66. Nannapaneni Chennenakesava Rao, Capital Region Farmers Federation, India
  67. Nannapaneni Ramesh, Capital Region Farmers Federation, India
  68. Chittiprolu SrinivasaRao, Capital Region Farmers Federation, India
  69. M Prabhakar Reddy, Capital Region Farmers Federation, India
  70. Katta Niranjan, Capital Region Farmers Federation, India
  71. Jammula Srinath, Capital Amravati farmers Federation, India
  72. Jammula Narasimha Rao, Capital Amaravati Farmers Federation, India
  73. Jammula Sirisha, Capital Amaravathi Farmers Federation, India
  74. Nageswara Rao, Pathakamuri Capital Amaravathi Farmers Federation, India
  75. Madala Venkata Seshagiri Rao, Capital Region Farmers Federation, India
  76. Neha G, Freelance, India
  77. Bonthagorla Sivasankaraju, Capital Region Farmers Federation, India
  78. Tani Alex, Working Group on International Financial Institutions, India
  79. Dameswara Reddy Meka, Capital Region Farmers Federation, India
  80. Sandeep Minhas, People For Himalayan Development, India
  81. Indrasenareddy, Capital Region Farmers Federation, India
  82. Sumanth reddy Capital Region Farmers Federation, India
  83. Bandi Hanuprasanth Reddy, Capital Region Farmers Federation, India
  84. Rajasekhar Reddy, Capital Region Farmers Federation, India
  85. Lakshmi Kolli, Capital Region Farmers Federation, India
  86. K.Koteswa Rao, Capital Region Farmers Federation, India
  87. Venkata Reddy, Kurre Capital Region Farmers Federation, India
  88. Kurre Venkata Reddy, Capital Region Farmers Federation, India
  89. GK Jagu, Capital Region Farmers Federation, India
  90. Veeraiah Bandikallu, Capital Region Farmers Federation, India
  91. I Srinivasa Rao, Capital Region Farmers Federation, India
  92. Gopala Krishna, Capital Region Farmers Federation, India
  93. M V Ramireddy, Capital Region Farmers Federation, India
  94. Bonam Srinivasa Reddy, Capital Region Farmers Federation, India
  95. Bonam Ravindra Reddy, Capital Region Farmers Federation, India
  96. Ch.Sriramurty, Capital Region Farmers Federation, India
  97. Chanasuryamma, Capital Region Farmers Federation, India
  98. Shalmali Guttal, Focus on the Global south, India
  99. G Nageswara Rao, Capital Region Farmers Federation, India
  100. Ch pallavi, Capital Region Farmers Federation, India
  101. Kallam suneeta, Capital Region Farmers Federation, India
  102. Kallam suneeta Capital Region Farmers Federation India
  103. Bonam Sivareddy Capital Region Farmers Federation India
  104. M.Dimple Laya Capital Region Farmers Federation India
  105. M. Parvathi Capital Region Farmers Federation India
  106. Nutakki Narasimha Naidu Capital Region Farmers Federation India
  107. Kallam Narendra Reddy Capital Region Farmers Federation India
  108. Ramakanth Reddy.K Capital Region Farmers Federation India
  109. Kallam Adityavardhan Reddy Capital Region Farmers Federation India
  110. Bhavanam Satish reddy Capital Region Farmers Federation India
  111. Shaik bismillah Capital Region Farmers Federation India
  112. B.Srinivasa rao Capital Region Farmers Federation India
  113. B.Srinivasa rao Capital Region Farmers Federation India
  114. V.keerthi Reddy Capital Region Farmers Federation India
  115. Palaganl.. Ramesh Capital Region Farmers Federation India
  116. Marreddy Siva Malleswari Capital Region Farmers Federation India
  117. Vidya Dinker Growthwatch India
  118. Vijay Sehrawat Youth For Climate India India
  119. M G Devasahayam Former Bureaucrat India
  120. Vijayan M J South Asian Solidarity Collective India
  121. Dr Sandeep Pandey Socialist Party of India India
  122. Nandini Oza Independent writer India
  123. Nootan I Can India
  124. Vilas kirote Rashtra Seva Dal India
  125. Sandhya gokhale Forum Against Oppression of Women India
  126. Bharat Patel Machimar Adhikaar Sanghash Sangathan India
  127. Mukta Srivastava Forum Against Exploitation of Women India
  128. Renuka Kad Community Development Trust India
  129. Umakant Pawaskar Samata fवЧार prasarak sanstha India
  130. M.Koti Reddy Capital Region Farmers Federation India
  131. M koti Reddy Capital Region Farmers Federation India
  132. M koti Reddy Capital Region Farmers Federation IndiaM Ramesh Reddy Capital Region Farmers Federation India
  133. Srilatha Capital Region Farmers Federation India
  134. Jyoshika Capital Region Farmers Federation India
  135. Vijayalakshmi Capital Region Farmers Federation India
  136. Meka Sanjeevareddy Capital Region Farmers Federation India
  137. M.Narasimhaswamy Capital Region Farmers Federation India
  138. M.Sravanthi Capital Region Farmers Federation India
  139. M.Anjaneyulu Capital Region Farmers Federation India
  140. Annapurna Capital Region Farmers Federation India
  141. Sandeep Capital Region Farmers Federation India
  142. Kallam sridhara reddy Capital Region Farmers Federation India
  143. Nalliboyina chalapathirao Capital Region Farmers Federation India
  144. Malisetty Venkateswara Rao Capital Region Farmers Federation India
  145. Shweta Damle Habitat and Livelihood Welfare Association India
  146. M Sambi Reddy Capital Region Farmers Federation India
  147. Nutakki Aruna kumari Capital Region Farmers Federation India
  148. K.Padmaja rani Capital Region Farmers Federation India
  149. Bonam lakshmi koti reddy Capital Region Farmers Federation India
  150. Srikanth Aluri civil society organizations India
  151. K Anjamma Capital Region Farmers Federation India
  152. Meka Thrikesh Reddy Capital Region Farmers Federation India
  153. Joe Athialy Centre for Financial Accountability India
  154. Amitanshu Verma Financial Accountability Network India India
  155. Muhammad Reza Sahib KRUHA Indonesia
  156. Roza Akylbekova Kazakhstan International Bureau for Human Rights and Rule of Law Kazakhstan
  157. Maurice Ouma Odhiambo Jamaa Resource Initiatives Kenya
  158. Tolekan Ismailova Bir Duino-Kyrgyzstan Kyrgyzstan
  159. Tolekan Ismailova Bir Duino-Kyrgyzstan Kyrgyzstan
  160. John N. Brownell Green Advocates International Liberia
  161. Aishwarya Visvanathan Monitoring Sustainability of Globalisation Malaysia
  162. Peace Point Development Foundation-PPDF Nigeria
  163. Farooq Tariq Pakistan Kissan Rabita Committee (PKRC) Pakistan
  164. Azhar Lashari Policy Research Institute for Equitable Development (PRIED) Pakistan
  165. Zain Moulvi Alternative Law Collective (ALC) Pakistan
  166. Rafe ALC Pakistan
  167. Saeed Baloch Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum Pakistan
  168. Azhar Lashari Policy Research Institute for Equitable Development Pakistan
  169. Brex Arevalo GAIA Philippines
  170. NGO Forum on ADB Regional / Philippines
  171. Lidy Nacpil Asian People’s Movement on Debt and Development Regional- Asia / Philippines
  172. Fatoumata Mbodji Lumière Synergie pour le Développement Senegal
  173. Wawa Wang Just Finance International The Netherlands
  174. Kate Geary Recourse United Kingdom
  175. Natalie Bugalski Inclusive Development International United States
  176. Margaux Day Accountability Counsel United States / Global
  177. Jason Weiner Bank Climate Advocates United States / International
  178. David Pred, Inclusive Development International, USA
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