Kochi: Transport minister Thomas Chandy has denied allegations of backwater encroachment and rejected reports of violations for construction of his controversial ‘Lake Palace’ resort in Alappuzha. He said there was no question of resigning on baseless allegations. “I will step down only if Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan asks me,” he told reporters here. “It is a misconception that Marthandam Kayal was filled for resort construction. I have 3 acres 10 cents of land, and the resort is constructed on a one-acre plot. The government has one-metre long pathway there though its exact location is not known. I have not encroached upon even a piece of public land but filled the pathway to the resort for which I have all the legal documents. I am ready to remove the red earth used to fill it,” he said.
The minister alleged conspiracy behind the controversies and reiterated that no one would be able to prove the allegations over encroachment. However, the NCP leader added that the conspirators are not within the Left Front or in the party. Regarding the report submitted by Alappuzha district collector T.V. Anupama which confirmed the encroachment, he said it was prepared without hearing his side. “It is a preliminary report and will furnish all details when the officials ask for it,” he said.
Asked about the missing of its land documents from the Alappuzha municipal office, the minister said he was not the custodian of them. The report submitted by the district collector to revenue minister E. Chandrasekharan on Friday had confirmed encroachment of backwaters. Based on satellite images, it showed changes in the land use pattern in the area over the past several years. The Congress and the BJP leaders have demanded his resignation.
