Resentment brewing over dismantling of popular beach resorts in Vizag
image for illustrative purpose
Visakhapatnam Even as construction work is in full swing for developing a new resort at the sea-facing Rushikonda Hills here at a cost of Rs.190 crore by the AP Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC), the decision to demolish the once popular resorts to give scope for a new one with massive investment is facing the threat of a legal challenge.
The ruling YSR Congress Party has strongly defended the decision saying it will attract more tourists to Visakhapatnam where the government wants to develop a London Eye-type of icon, the Telugu Desam Party and Left parties have threatened to seek judicial intervention.
Unconfirmed reports earlier stated that the new facility being developed may be converted into Chief Minister's Camp Office following the decision to make Visakhapatnam the executive capital of Andhra Pradesh. There was also speculation that it may be given on lease to a five star hotel group. Tourism Minister Muttamsetti Srinivasa Rao, who is from Visakhapatnam, had repeatedly stated that the government led by Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy is keen to transform Visakhapatnam into an international tourist destination.
Meanwhile, former IAS officer and social activist E.A.S. Sarma said the ongoing constructions at Rushikonda violates the Master Plan of Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region Development Authority (VMRDA), known as Visakhapatnam Urban Development Authority (VUDA) earlier.
In a letter to Y. Srilakshmi, Special Chief Secretary, Municipal Administration and Urban Development, Sarma cautioned that unless corrective steps are taken, the government decision may attract judicial intervention.
legal action.
He stated "I understand from news reports that the State Tourism Department, in consultation with MA&UD Department, has taken up extensive construction work over the Rushikonda Hill near Visakhapatnam. From the pictures available from the local newspapers, it appears that construction activity has already damaged the otherwise scenic Rushikonda hill terrain, leaving ugly scars and causing extensive denudation of the vegetation there."
The TDP recently organised a protest at the project site to poke fun at the government decision to construct a new resort by demolishing the existing one, which was quite popular among budget tourists. "The present government has no explanation to offer any valid reason for razing a popular resort to the ground," TDP parliamentary unit president Palla Srinivasa Rao told Bizz Buzz.
