Remove unauthorised construction in 7 days: Naidu’s Amaravati residence served notice

Portions of former CM Chandrababu Naidu’s rented house on the banks of Krishna river were constructed allegedly in violation of environmental laws.

news Controversy

The Andhra Pradesh Capital Region Development Authority (APCRDA) has served a notice yet again, regarding the unauthorised construction of former Chief Minister and TDP leader Chandrababu Naidu’s residence in Undavalli, Amaravati. Addressed to the property owners Lingamaneni Ramesh and Madhira Venugopala Veerabhadra Rao, the order issued on September 19 instructs to remove the unauthorised construction within seven days of the issue of order, failing which it will be removed by the APCRDA.

According to the APCRDA order, the respondents had earlier sought time to produce documents substantiating their defense, but had failed to do so.

Naidu, who rents the house at Amaravati had earlier received a demolition notice from the YSRCP-led state government on the night of June 27. Even then, the APCRDA notice had asked the occupants to vacate the premises within seven days. The notice was issued as portions of the luxury villa on the banks of Krishna river were constructed allegedly in violation of various environmental laws. All surrounding structures had also received notices from the APCRDA. The notice was preceded by the demolition of the Praja Vedika, the people's grievances cell located a few meters away from Naidu's rented residence.

Naidu’s residence in Undavalli was constructed by the Lingamaneni group, a construction firm with close ties to Naidu.

The order dismisses various claims made by the property owners. In response to the contention that there is no contamination of water or any injury, the order says, “In the recent floods in August 2019, due to your unauthorised construction, the premises caused obstruction to the flow of water and also flooded your premises.”

It also dismissed the plea that the land belongs to the owner, saying that the land ownership is not in question, with the issue being that the ground floor, first floor, swimming pool and dressing room being constructed within 100 metres from the Krishan river course without permission for competent authority. “The plea that it is owner’s land is neither germane nor material in rectifying the illegality on part of owner,” the notice said.