The demolition of apartments, houses and other structures on either side of the Bandar Road in Poranki continued to worry the locals on Sunday.
To facilitate the work of the Vijayawada-Machilipatnam highway (NH 65) expansion, officials roped in excavators and earthmovers to raze down the structures. Starting from Saturday, several structures were demolished. The property owners joined hands against the authorities and sought stopping of the action.
They alleged that the authorities had not notified them about the demolition drive. The property owners further demanded compensation as per the current market rate whereas officials claimed that the compensation had already been paid and notices were served long ago.
It is said the property owners were promised and paid compensation as per the market rates in 2007 when the agreements were entered into. However, the locals now demand that the compensation be paid according to present rates. The issue has been settled with the intervention of higher officials and most of the apartments, including those of corporate colleges, houses and others, were razed down.
