According to the court order, the expert committee conducted comprehensive inspections on the structures being constructed by the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Department on top of Visakha Rushi Hill.
Public Interest Litigation in High Court for Non-Compliance of Coastal Regulation
(Raja Pentapati Beauro Chief)
National News
Amaravati December 15 (Bharat News) AP
A Public Interest Litigation has been filed in the High Court stating that the constructions being constructed by the Tourism Department on Rushikonda are more than the permitted ones and the Coastal Regulation regulations are not being followed.
The expert committee of the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests, appointed for the second time by MoEF, visited Rushikonda on Thursday to investigate the matter. Committee members from the National Center for Sustainable Coastal Management – NCACCM Public Works Department, Central Pollution Control Board and MoEF regional office led by Gaurappan reached Rushikonda and inspected the structures being constructed by the Tourism Department.
Earlier, the expert committee appointed by the High Court had given a report. According to the report, the High Court directed the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests to rectify any violation of the rules. But again the petitioners brought fresh allegations before the court. The newly appointed committee has now reached Visakhapatnam and is touring Rushikonda. GVMC officials are providing necessary arrangements and information for the committee’s visit
It is known that public interest litigations have been filed in the High Court alleging violations of norms in excavations and constructions without permits in Rushikonda. The High Court has issued some important orders in the wake of the investigation. To this extent, the central committee reached Visakhapatnam and took up the truth.
They went to each block and inquired about the construction details. They also saw the areas where the soil was dumped in the area excavated for construction. APTDC and GVMC officials provided all the details to the committee
First, the High Court ordered a committee to be set up and look into the allegations of violation of rules by Rushikonda. With this, a five-member joint inspection committee conducted a survey and submitted a report to the court in a month.
According to the report, the High Court directed the Union Environment Department to take action if there were any violations. However, the AP High Court has ordered the Central Environment and Forest Department to explain the actions taken by the petitioners who have again been brought to the notice of the court that there have been violations of the CRZ-Coastal Regulation Zone in every block being constructed on Rushikonda.
As a result, on the 29th of last month, MOEF informed the court that another committee was being formed to look into the violations. The committee has been visiting Rushikonda recently.
Bharat News AP
