Dharna against PPP project at Mudasarlova Lake

VISAKHAPATNAM: Hundreds of people from Arilova in Visakhapatnam staged a protest in front of Mudasarlova Park on Friday demanding cancellation of a commercial project being undertaken by Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) in public-private partnership (PPP) mode.

GVMC has taken up the project in PPP mode for construction of a commercial-cum- entertainment project surrounding the Mudasarlova Lake, which provides drinking water to Visakhapatnam city. The project covers an extent of 283 acres.

Addressing the protesters, CPM Visakhapatnam district secretary M. Jaggu Naidu said YSRC leaders had won the municipal elections promising to protect government and GVMC lands. But they are now trying to build private hotels, clubs and entertainment centres around the Mudasarlova Lake by cutting down the trees near the BRTS Road that connects Health City and Simhachalam.

Naidu called on people to oppose the PPP project, as lands and environment around the Mudasarlova Lake can be protected only if the project is retained by GVMC.