Jana Sena leader opposes public opinion exercise on Rushikonda buildings

Visakhapatnam: After the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Authority (APTA) recently sought public opinion and called for a meeting with tourism operators to discuss the use of buildings constructed on Rushikonda Hill in Visakhapatnam, Jana Sena corporator P Murthy Yadav strongly opposed the plan.Speaking to the media in Visakhapatnam on Wednesday, he alleged that the buildings are illegal and violate environmental laws as well as Supreme Court orders. "Since I am involved in a pending court case as a petitioner regarding these structures, inviting public opinions and investors before the court's final decision is inappropriate," said Yadav.Meanwhile, in his letter to the chief executive officer of the APTA, Yadav said that the buildings are part of an ongoing public interest litigation (WP (PIL) No.241 of 2021) before the AP High Court. "The court directed the ministry of environment, forest and climate change to form an expert committee to investigate violations. The committee's report is still awaited," said the corporator. Yadav saiddhat the illegal constructions must be demolished in accordance with previous Supreme Court and High Court judgments, with fines and criminal action imposed on responsible officials and political figures. "Any proceedings by the tourism authority disregarding the court process and potentially misleading the public to favour these illegal structures are unacceptable," he said, adding that continuing such activities could result in contempt of court proceedings.