Government approaches Vuda to stop encroachment of land

VISAKHAPATNAM: The sudden spurt in encroachment of government vacant lands in the north coastal districts of Srikakulam,

Vizianagaram

and Visakhapatnam has the state construct compound walls to protect them.

Noticing the large-scale encroachments, the revenue department of Visakhapatnam district had first directed the Visakhapatnam Urban Development Authority (Vuda) to construct compound walls or fence earmarked government vacant lands within the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (

GVMC

) limits. Following this,

Vuda

started constructing compound walls or barbed wire fencing of the government lands in the city.

According to Vuda sources, the revenue department has marked nearly 6,000 acres of government lands within GVMC limits for constructing compound walls or fencing. Vuda has so far covered nearly 2,000 acres of land and the balance area will be covered in the next few months.

Vuda will receive land worth Rs 15 crore for covering total 6,000 acres. The 2,000 acres covered till now comprises small parcel of land sites and large areas ranging from 100 square yards to five acres. Some of the areas where Vuda has completed the task include

Madhurawada

, Yendada, Paradesipalem, Gajuwaka, Kapuluppada, Bheemili, Anakapalli, Kommadi, Vepagunta, Rushikonda, Peda Gantyada and Arilova.

Confirming this to TOI, a senior Vuda official said, "We are constructing compound walls for government lands as per the request from the revenue department. We will not take money for the work but secure revenue land instead. We are suggesting a suitable site at Madhurawada which will be commercially viable for us. We were asked to cover 6,000 acres of land within GVMC limits at a cost of Rs 15 crore. Similarly, Srikakulam and Vizianagaram districts are also doing it."

Sources in the revenue department said the people who indulged in trespassing or encroachment of government lands include politicians as well. Some encroach the lands by erecting small huts, running commercial activities, turning them into playgrounds, planting trees or using it for vehicle parking.

"The government instructed us to take steps to protect government lands. As it is difficult to arrange money immediately for the work, we approached Vuda to do so. Instead of paying the charges, we will officially allocate a parcel of land of the same value to Vuda of its choice within GVMC limits," a senior revenue official said.

Encroachment of government land became rampant after bifurcation as the land value suddenly shot up, the revenue officials said.

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