Following public outrage over construction in violation of Coastal Regulatory Zone (CRZ) norms, the Visakhapatnam Urban Development Authority (VUDA) commenced operation demolition on Saturday. Around five buildings which were under construction at Nagarampalem near Kapuluppada, were demolished till late Saturday night. The VUDA officials on Sunday announced that they would continue the demolition drive to remove all unauthorized constructions along the Beach Road between Visakhapatnam and Bheemili. The buildings under survey numbers 292 and 293, sparked public outrage and complaints were lodged with the officials concerned for violation of the CRZ norms. A probe into the complaints, revealed that the structures were falling under CRZ-1 zone which is No Development Area’ as per regulations, a release said on Sunday. Despite notices by the VUDA earlier, the builder did not respond and continued the construction. After a thorough verification and field inspection, the VUDA officials submitted status report to VUDA vice-chairman T Baburao Naidu who in turn ordered demolition of the buildings. The VUDA officials led by secretary A Srinivas demolished the buildings. The officials warned the builders against illegal constructions on the Beach Road in violation of the CRZ norms. They urged public to approach them in case of such violations. Meanwhile, retired IAS officer EAS Sarma, one of the complainants, alleged that the VUDA officers made a half-hearted attempt to pull down the structures for reasons better known to them. In a release, he stated that many unscrupulous developers seem to be taking the authorities for granted and violating the CRZ norms, due to support from some local politicians. He urged the officials not to allow such unauthorized constructions and initiate stringent action against them.
2016, The New Indian Express.