Citizens raise alarm over park encroachment
Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) (Image:DC)
Visakhapatnam: The Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) has received 154 public complaints through its Public Grievance Redressal System (PGRS), with a significant portion raising alarm over park encroachments and the shrinking of green spaces. Concerned citizens have urged the authorities to act swiftly to prevent irreversible damage to public lands, especially those earmarked for community welfare.
Of the total complaints, the town planning department received the highest number at 77, followed by the engineering department with 35, administration and accounts with 15, revenue with 12, public health with 7, plantation with 5, and the urban community development (UCD) wing with 3 complaints. Zone-wise data showed that Zone 8 reported the highest number of complaints (23), followed by Zone 6 (22), Zone 2 (21), Zone 3 (17), Zone 4 (15), Zone 5 (13), and Zone 1 (1).
Among the most serious allegations was one raised by Jana Sena corporator Peethala Murthy Yadav, who accused real estate businessmen of attempting to encroach upon park land reserved for Dalits and other marginalised communities. The land, located in Kota Narava, Ward No. 88, under Town Survey No. 10/9 in Pendurthi mandal, was originally allocated in 1992 under the Andhra Pradesh government’s economically weaker sections (EWS) housing scheme (Layout Permit 16/1992). While the plan included 137 houses, about 350 square yards of land was specifically earmarked for social welfare and public use.
Among the most serious allegations was one raised by Jana Sena corporator Peethala Murthy Yadav, who accused real estate businessmen of attempting to encroach upon park land reserved for Dalits and other marginalised communities. The land, located in Kota Narava, Ward No. 88, under Town Survey No. 10/9 in Pendurthi mandal, was originally allocated in 1992 under the Andhra Pradesh government’s economically weaker sections (EWS) housing scheme (Layout Permit 16/1992). While the plan included 137 houses, about 350 square yards of land was specifically earmarked for social welfare and public use.
Murthy Yadav alleged that the designated land, which has remained unfenced and undeveloped for decades, is now being targeted for private use. He claimed that 180 square yards of this land were approved for private development through a land exchange proposal cleared by the State Town and Country Planning Department, allegedly in violation of norms.
The corporator pointed to Memo No. 2432783/M2/2024 dated March 5, 2025, as evidence of irregular approval, which, he said, was granted based on misleading information about council approval—despite the issue never being discussed in four separate council meetings.
The corporator pointed to Memo No. 2432783/M2/2024 dated March 5, 2025, as evidence of irregular approval, which, he said, was granted based on misleading information about council approval—despite the issue never being discussed in four separate council meetings.
Following a recent Andhra Pradesh High Court intervention through Order W.P.(PIL) No.111 of 2025 dated July 9, the Rural Planning Department clarified that the land must continue to serve its original purpose—to support the welfare of Dalits and other economically vulnerable groups.
In response to these growing concerns, GVMC Mayor Pila Srinivasa Rao held a review meeting on Monday and ordered an urgent verification of all park and open land data. He cited discrepancies in existing records and demanded zone-wise details and reports on encroachments and legal disputes within three days. The mayor stressed the need for field-level checks to ensure accuracy and accountability.
( Source : Deccan Chronicle )
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