The “excessive” cost of construction for the resorts of AP Tourism on Rushikonda Hill was the focal point of discussions in the state assembly on Thursday. (Image: DC)
Vijayawada: The “excessive” cost of construction for the resorts of AP Tourism on Rushikonda Hill was the focal point of discussions in the state assembly on Thursday.
Speaker Chintakayala Ayyanna Patrudu promised a detailed discussion on the subject on Monday.
MLAs Penmetsa Vishnu Raju and Adinarayana Reddy raised questions on the palatial complex built atop the picturesque beach-front in Visakhapatnam by the state tourism development corporation.
The resorts complex came up in the area of the old resort at Rushikonda. The cost per sqft of the 1,45,767 sqft built-up area was Rs 15,293.
Durgesh said components executed other than buildings were the landscaping, the slope protection works, the roads, parking area etc. Site development including the dismantling of existing structures, water supply facility, the fire sump, the domestic sump, the STP 100 KLD, the compound walls, street lights, decorative lighting, HT, LT cables, transformers, generators, electrical room, sewer lines, developmental works, interiors and fixtures, furniture, drains, water harvesting structures, lightning protection, electrical sub-station and GVMC water supply etc cost Rs 186.47 crore. He said the total project cost was Rs 409.39 crore.
BJP MLA Vishnukumar Raju said, “With this money, as many as 22,743 houses could have been built for the poor. “First, it was a tourism resort. Then, a committee was formed to look around for a camp office for the chief minister (Jagan Reddy). The committee recommended that Rushikonda Palace be allotted to the CM.”
He wondered how the cost of a bathroom was as high as `16 lakh.
Raju said Rs 11 lakh was spent on a commode, and when asked what the speciality of this commode was, he was told that it was “auto-washing” and that there was no need to use a napkin.
For bathing, the cost of a 3-way mixing shower was Rs 4.3 lakh and for the main door, Rs 24 lakh. The door grill cost Rs 12 lakh, he said.
Deputy speaker Raghurama Krishnam Raju said he had gone to the high court against Rushikonda. “The downfall of Jagan Reddy started due to the construction of this palace.”
Speaker Ayyanna Patrudu said a decision will be taken to hold a special discussion on the Rushikonda complex on Monday.
( Source : Deccan Chronicle )
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