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Government, pvt players battle for ownership
Reports suggest that neither the Irrigation nor the Revenue departments have proper records of the extent of islands. The officials were accused of doing a botched job, while surveying the lands, as the records reflect only 2,000 acres. Decades ago the Irrigation department conducted a survey, which depicted that as much as 8,000 acres were in its folds against to 20,000 acres, which was believed
Amaravati: Uncertainty regarding owner of the lanka lands (islands) and lack of proper records with the government department is brewing into a major controversy. A recent dispute between, government officials, locals and few leaders over ownership of islands at Uddandarayunipalem, adjacent to the capital city – Amaravati – was a sign of things to come.
Reports suggest that neither the Irrigation nor the Revenue departments have proper records of the extent of islands. The officials were accused of doing a botched job, while surveying the lands, as the records reflect only 2,000 acres. Decades ago the Irrigation department conducted a survey, which depicted that as much as 8,000 acres were in its folds against to 20,000 acres, which was believed to be original extent.
A survey was proposed 10 years ago, but it was not materialised. Sources said that no one would have cared about the extent of the islands, if they weren’t as valuable as they were now. As the, government proposed a slew of tourism project in the islands, owing to their proximity to the capital, with doubled the interest in them.
Speaking to The Hans India, chief engineer of Capital Region Development Authority (CRDA) Kasi Vishweshvara Rao said that the government has plans to develop islands. “We are employing drones to survey the extent of the islands,” he informed.The tourism projects in the islands caught the fancy of many a businessmen.
P Madhu, an NRI businessman says that island tourism will bring in more footfalls and allied business will improve. It should be recalled that the majority of the lands, were earlier given in lease to private persons, even more most of the islands were encroached. In some of the encroached lands, few temples and building s have come up. Moreover, the government departments don’t have sufficient records to take them back into their possession.
Sources said that it was for this very reason that the officials chose opted silence, even after several structures came up, despite government cancelling lease.The Irrigation department is the owner of the lands but is alleged that they have not followed any rules, while giving lands on lease. Sources said that this enabled the lessees to grab the lands.
Meanwhile, experts are of opinion that the islands can protect Prakasam Barrage and as well as stop floods. It is also said that some of the lessees secured illegal pattas from the revenue department and constructed permanent structures.Deputy engineer of Irrigation department P Sambasiva Rao admitted that the Irrigation department has not conducted any survey. “CRDA is making Blue and Green plans based on islands,” he added.
