HYDERABAD: The fate of around 21 illegal structures, including former chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu’s residence, and other constructions on the banks of river Krishna hangs in the balance with Andhra Pradesh chief minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy announcing on Monday that demolition of Praja Vedika, a conference hall built adjacent to Naidu’s house, would begin on Tuesday.
Owners of the illegal structures, who received notices from the irrigation department, have approached courts, seeking a stay. Mangalagiri MLA Alla
Ramakrishna Reddy has already filed a public interest litigation in the high court, seeking demolition and eviction of illegal constructions on Krishna riverbed and named 57 — 49 private persons and eight officials — as respondents.
Ramakrishna told TOI that the petition he had filed is still pending with the court. “Section 13 of River Conservation Act clearly says that any person intending to make or remove or extend any building or construct any kind or plantat trees within the riverbed shall obtain permission from the conservator of rivers and any contravention of this section is liable for conviction,” he explained.
Some of the contentious constructions include a building owned by Lingamaneni Estates in which Naidu has been residing for the last five years after declaring it as an official residence of CM.
Former TDP MLA
Bonda Umamaheswara Rao told TOI that a majority of the owners got permission from village panchayat and built them. “After notices were served, many of them had moved courts and got stay orders. The matter is in courts. The government cannot demolish the buildings now,” he said.