Visakhapatnam: The AP High Court has stayed the excavation works on the Kailasagiri Hills that was aimed at developing a shopping complex.
This follows a petition filed by Jana Sena leader and GVMC corporator P.L.N. Murthy Yadav and the fishermen youth welfare association president Teddu Shankar.
The petition was filed in public interest and highlighted the action of the Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region Development Authority (VMRDA) vis-à-vis cutting of trees and excavating the hill in Visakhapatnam, which fell in the coastal regulation zone (CRZ).
No permissions have been taken from the environment and forests ministry. VMRDA proposes to construct shops/shopping complexes on the site, the petitioners complained.
Standing counsel for VMRDA said no shop/shopping complex was being constructed. A parking area is being developed for the benefit of those visiting the adjoining park known as Tenneti Park.
Although the aim to erect a car parking area may be laudable, the area falls in the CRZ and hence necessary permissions should have been taken, the court said.
VMRDA counsel said he had no information whether permissions have been taken. In any case, no further construction activity/excavation shall be carried out on the said spot, he said.
The court asked VMRDA counsel to file a counter within three weeks. The commissioner of VMRDA shall ensure that status quo is maintained on spot till the objections are filed and the matter is considered. However, pendency of the present petition will not prevent VMRDA from approaching a competent authority for obtaining the required permissions, the court added.
