AP high court orders demolition of illegal Thotlakonda resort

Visakhapatnam: The Andhra Pradesh high court has ordered the demolition of illegal constructions raised in violation of Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) norms by a beach resort located in front of Thotlakonda, a protected Buddhist monument, along the Rushikonda–Bheemili Beach Road in Visakhapatnam. The Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC) had leased out 2.4 acres of land in Survey No. 314 of Kapuluppada to a private individual. The lessee allegedly subleased the land to others, including politicians, who converted a small restaurant meant for tourists visiting Thotlakonda into a full-fledged beach resort. The expansion included permanent concrete structures, guest rooms, and a bar-cum-hotel. The Visakhapatnam Fisherwomen Dry Fish Cooperative Society filed a writ petition (No. 110 of 2018), stating that the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Authority (APTDA) and APTDC initially undertook steps to set up a tourism hub in the area but later leased it to private individuals. These lessees, in turn, subleased the property and altered the nature of the coastal site by carrying out unauthorised constructions. Following inspections conducted in Nov last year, the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) commissioner issued a speaking order, stating that the structures were built without valid building permissions. Despite being given sufficient time, APTDC failed to produce any approvals before the GVMC.Taking serious note of the violations, the high court dismissed APTDC's writ petition and directed the GVMC to implement the demolition order issued on Nov 19. The court instructed that the demolition be carried out within three weeks from the date of receipt of its order.