The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has imposed a stay at Rushikonda excavations in Vishakapatnam. NGT ordered that excavations can not be carried out until further orders.
An NGT bench on May 6th heard a petition filed by MP Raghurama Krishna Raju. NGT has appointed a joint committee to study the excavations so far.
Andhra Pradesh government clarified that the Coastal Management Authority will act as the nodal agency. The committee was directed to submit a report within a month.
NGT responded last year to a project being undertaken by AP Tourism Development Corporation at Rushikonda. It also ordered the formation of a four-member committee to ascertain the actual situation there.
It is learned that MP Raghuram Krishnaraja had complained to the NGT that illegal excavations were being carried out at Rushikonda, violating the master plan and harming the environment.
Only last week, police have obstructed Opposition leader Chandrababu Naidu from going to the project site to examine the allegations.
Telugu media have given extensive coverage to these works which have violated the environmental norms.
