HC Halts GVMC Butterfly Park Land Transfer
Public Utility Mandate Upheld In PIL Verdict: Report
VISAKHAPATNAM: The Andhra Pradesh High Court has stayed a May 2025 government order allowing the transfer of land from GVMC’s Butterfly Park in Madhurawada to private individuals.
This interim relief came in response to Public Interest Litigation (PIL No. 111 of 2025) filed by Jana Sena corporator Peetala Murthy Yadav.
The bench, led by Chief Justice Dheeraj Singh Thakur and Justice Chimalapati Ravi, ruled that the land must remain reserved for public utility, citing previous judicial precedents against commercialisation of designated green spaces.
The case involves 484.39 square yards in Survey No. 193/1P within the MSR Layout of GVMC’s 6th Ward. Petitioners cited G.O.Ms. No. 72 (2002) and Supreme Court rulings to argue the land’s protected status under the public interest doctrine.
Despite earlier reaffirmations by special chief secretary Anil Kumar Singhal that layout open spaces must remain for public use—such as gardens and parks—the May 2025 order appeared to contravene that position.
The court also rejected a land transfer request by Pilla Lakshmana Patrudu and Potina Apparao for adjacent Survey No. 192/12P, reinforcing the principle of community welfare in urban planning.