YSRCP, CPI(M) oppose A.P. govt.’s decision to allocate Harbour Park land in Vizag to LuLu Group

A view of the 13 acres of land allocated to LuLu Group, on Beach Road in Visakhapatnam.
| Photo Credit: File photo

Activists of the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP), Left parties and environmentalists have opposed the decision of Andhra Pradesh government to provide 13 acres of Harbour Park lands near Beach Road in Visakhapatnam to the LuLu Group.

YSRCP MLC Botcha Satyanarayana on Thursday alleged that the government had unilaterally given prime land worth ₹2,000 crore to the LuLu Group.

“The government has not followed the rules while giving away government lands to private parties. How can the government allow ₹170-crore subsidies and lease out land land for 99 years,” he asked.

Addressing the media at his camp office on Thursday, Mr. Satyanarayana questioned the rationale behind the government giving away 13 acres of land on the beach stretch for the construction of a commercial establishment.

“The government has decided to give one acre for ₹50 lakh, which would not generate much revenue to the exchequer,” he opined.

“Commercial establishments can be set up anywhere. People can travel some distance for entertainment. What was the need to provide prime government land near the Beach Road at cheaper prices for a commercial establishment. What is the need to provide ₹170-crore subsidy on stamp duty and other taxes,” he asked.

CPI(M) Visakha district secretary M. Jaggu Naidu also condemned the land allocation to the LuLu Group.

“Instead, the government should have given the land for a science museum or other purpose that would have helped the people,” he said.

He said that the commercial establishment project on Beach Road would not only create chaos in the CRZ area but also affect the small-scale businesses along the stretch. “The government is trying to give the lands for a cheaper price, which will lead to huge financial loss to the exceqhuer,” he said.

E.A.S Sarma writes to govt.

Meanwhile, retired bureaucrat E.A.S. Sarma has written a letter to Principal Secretary, Municipal Administration Department, Suresh Kumar, stating that the said land falls within the prohibited area of CRZ, attracting stringent restrictions including prohibition of the sinking of borewells. “Such public places should be earmarked for public purposes, not for enriching private agencies,” he said.