Realtors encroach `5cr government land

Bhimavaram: In blatant violation of rules, realtors who are making money by illegal layouts have encroached government land worth Rs five crore. In survey number 457/2 of Gonteru canal land in mandal headquarters of Veeravasaram, the realtors included 57 cents of government land into their illegal ventures posing a challenge to official machinery which is in deep slumber.

After bifurcation, the value of lands increased and real estate business picked up in this area. Private ventures mushroomed flouting rules. Many agricultural lands have turned into ventures which have no official clearance for their lay-outs.

In one of such ventures adjoining national highway No 165, the government land was encroached. As per market value one cent of land costs Rs 8 lakh. Going by this market value, the encroached land is worth Rs 5 crore. The venture is close to Tahsildar office.

When asked, the officials said they were busy in election duty and unaware of the encroachment.

However, people of the village alleged that the officials and local politicians have been acting hand in glove with the realtors who never cared for rules. The realtors hardly cares for land conversion fee or mining cess to level the land, leave alone clearance for lay-out.