The Capital News
Retired IAS officer E A S Sarma has written to the secretary of the Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MEFCC), urging immediate action against violations atop Rushikonda Hill in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh and demolition of unauthorized structures. Sarma’s letter on June 26, references his earlier correspondence from July 14, 2023, and highlights multiple infractions by the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC). Sarma alleged that APTDC violated Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) conditions by modifying its tourist facility atop Rushikonda Hill without proper approvals, dumping construction waste unauthorizedly, and infringing CRZ notification rules. He pointed out that these actions were conducted under the previous State government’s direction, with APTDC officers allegedly concealing these activities from the public and the Andhra Pradesh High Court. An expert committee constituted by the High Court reportedly found that APTDC undertook additional construction beyond the approved extent, violating CRZ conditions. Sarma emphasized that with the change in State government, the true extent of these violations has come to light. Sarma cited a precedent set by the Supreme Court in the Meradu apartments case in Kerala, where the court ordered the demolition of structures built in violation of CRZ regulations. He urged the MEFCC to adopt a similar approach for the Rushikonda complex by ordering the demolition of unauthorized structures and holding responsible State officials accountable. Sarma also called for the Andhra Pradesh Coastal Zone Management Authority (AP CZMA) to be held liable for failing to enforce CRZ regulations. In his letter, Sarma warned that failure to act promptly would lead to the public perceiving the Ministry as complicit in these statutory violations. He requested firm and urgent action to ensure compliance with environmental laws and protect coastal areas from further damage.
