For the first time after the demolition of ‘Praja Vedika’, an "unauthorised conference hall" built by the TDP government, three months ago, the Andhra Pradesh Capital Region Development Authority initiated action against other private properties that were built in the Krishna River’s flood plain area in Undavalli village of Guntur district on Monday.
The demolition of the 17-meter long concrete ramp constructed unauthorisedly from the agriculture land owned by Pathuri Koteswara Rao has been initiated. At least, 10 meters of the ramp was protruding into the river with the support of pillars laid in the water. Workers engaged by the CRDA had to wear life jackets while demolishing the structure piece by piece with sledgehammers. There is also a small structure with roof adjoining the ramp, officials said.
"After giving notices months ago the owners responded but couldn’t provide any reason why it was constructed without any permission. The case was then disposed off and on Saturday we have given the speaking order," CRDA zonal assistant director T. Narendranath Reddy told The Hindu.
"The construction has no permission or any kind of no objection certificate. Also, there were no dwellers in the property unlike several other cases. Hence following the orders of higher authorities we have initiated the demolition," Mr. Reddy said.
The property is close to Aqua Devils Welfare Association Club and Tulasi Gardens on the Karakatta road and not too far from the temporary residence of TDP national president and former CM N. Chandrababu Naidu.
The CRDA has issued notices to owners of 29 unauthorised structures in the flood plain area months ago. In one of the structures owned by industrialist L. Ramesh, Mr. Naidu is residing temporarily. On September 21, Mr. Ramesh was given a fresh notice according to which he was given one week to remove the structure.
"All the unauthorised structures will have to face the same in due course.. However, there is some time in other cases as some owners moved the court and others sought time to respond," an official said.
