#VizagCapital: HC considers RRR request to take early decision

[Anta Assamey]

The AP state government is in a hurry to shift the capital to Vizag and even set December deadline for the same. In the wake of a GO issued regarding shifting the government offices into the buildings constructed atop Rushikonda, Narasapuram MP K.Raghu Ramakrishna Raju’s counsels made a special mention about delivering judgement in the petitions filed challenging the construction work on Rishikonda hillock in Vizag. On hearing to the petitions, the High Court bench headed by Chief Justice Dhiraj Singh Thakur and Justice R. Raghunandan Rao said they would consider the request.

The advocate representing the MP urged the court to take an early decision regarding the issue and the government was trying to shift the offices very soon. The counsel said a letter has already been addressed to the judicial registrar.

Vizag East MLA and TDP leader Velagapudi Ramakrishna and Jana Sena corporator PVLN Murthy Yadav also filed separate petitions challenging the construction at Rushikonda, stating that the tourism cottages were being redeveloped. They mentioned that the state government has violated the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) and environment norms.

It may be recalled that the HC had appointed an expert committee in the past to look into the issue and the report submitted by it confirmed the violations. The HC also reserved orders with an oral observation that it will pass detailed orders directing the Union ministry of environment to take action on the said violations.