Visakhapatnam: Officials of the city planning department of Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) were evidently well aware of the illegal constructions and unauthorised extensions to buildings in the city.
While there had been no action even after repeated complaints lodged by several people, there had been no action from the department during the past five years. Now the officials are rushing to all the unauthorised constructions and have started demolishing without mercy.
Officials of the town planning wing have, within the past three days, demolished 45 unauthorised constructions.
With the sudden change in the attitude of the department officials, who had faced allegations earlier, the people are now comparing the administration between the TD and YSR Congress regimes.
Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy’s direct attack on the unauthorised constructions and demolishing of the Praja Vedika at Undavilli has inspired the Vizag town planning wing to finally open its eyes and razing unauthorised constructions.
All heads of the government departments are directing the district level administration, particularly line departments to be aggressive and carry out their duty and complete their task on hand on priority.
“No surprise. Earlier, officials of the same department had rushed to demolish a building constructed by a TD MLA. Even before they reached the spot, they got calls from senior officials, telling them to turn back. Incidentally, the unauthorised buildings demolished presently belong to middle and upper-middle-class sections, while some influential people have constructed structures without proper sanctions. But so far, officials are not demolishing these constructions as they might have given oral sanction to these structures,” said, V.V.R Babu, a contractor.
Meanwhile, owners of the buildings on the radar of GVMC officials are making relentless efforts, to the extent of approaching YSRC leaders. So far, the only answer they have got is expression of helplessness.
“Yes, there are clear instructions from the party that MLAs or leaders should not obstruct the officials carrying out their duties. This is despite the fact that the government could give some time and collect penalty for regularisation of the illegal constructions," a YSRC MLA said.
Defending the action on the unauthorised constructions, GVMC city planner Vidyullata said that with the CM’s directions, the department has started acting upon illegal structures.
She said that the special drive against unauthorised constructions would continue. “Over 45 constructions have been demolished so far. As there is no pressure from any section, we doing our duty fearlessly,” Ms Vidyullata said.
