The proposed construction of Haritha Hotel along with a convention centre and theme park on the shores of Lower Manair Dam (LMD) reservoir seems to have ruffled a few feathers as it involves using up a portion of the Ujwala Park and acquisition of some land belonging to the Government Polytechnic College.
An amount of ₹15.17 crore was secured for the construction as part of the promotion of tourism under the proposed ₹506-crore Manair riverfront. Minister for Finance and Civil Supplies Eatala Rajender laid the foundation stone for the construction of the hotel on the premises of Ujwala park on May 8.
Ever since, town residents and environmentalists have been protesting against the use of park land for the hotel construction. They said two decades ago, the then administrator Debabrata Kantha had strived hard for the development of the park as a recreational centre and for the development of greenery.
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‘Violates court order’
President of the district Lok Satta Udyama Samstha N. Srinivas said the proposed construction will be a violation of a Supreme Court directive. The apex court’s order was also ratified by the State government through GO No. 72 on February 20, 2002, stating that there should not be any construction in texisting parks. He suggested that the government construct the Haritha Hotel at the LMD colony on the town outskirts where several acres of government land are lying vacant.
District Tourism Officer Venkateshwar Rao said the park is spread over 11.5 acres and the construction was proposed on just two acres. The park land belongs to the Tourism department, he clarified, and added that they would further develop the park after the hotel construction is complete.
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