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Six-storey court complex remains a non-starter
The fate of a six-storey court complex building proposed to be built replacing the dilapidated buildings at the present site adjacent to the
Vijayawada: The fate of a six-storey court complex building proposed to be built replacing the dilapidated buildings at the present site adjacent to the Chief Minister’s office is precariously hanging for the past three years. As a result, the judicial officers are left with no option, but to hold the sittings in the dingy and ramshackle buildings.
Though the roads and buildings department awarded works to a contractor in 2013, the project remains a non-starter. It is a century-old old cluster of court buildings, warranting the intervention of the High Court to direct the government for the construction of a new complex.
The issue has assumed political colours following a protest staged by the APCC Legal Cell, highlighting the fate of the project. Cell convener G Gurnadham alleged that the new court complex could not be materialised as the government was eying the prime land housing the present court. The old court complex is located in six acres of prime land in the heart of the city which is worth crores of rupees. The government has allotted Rs 85 crore for the construction of the new court buildings.
In the meantime, a proposal came for the government’s consideration for relocation of the court complex at Mustabad on the city outskirts. Gurnadham alleged that the government was trying to take over the prime land housing the old court buildings for commercial use, hence the project remained a non-starter.
According to Gurnadham, the government has offered 100 acres of land in lieu of the site where the old court complex is located. However, the move drew strong opposition from members of the bar.
Vijayawada Bar Association president Manmadha Rao insisted that the new complex should be built at the present site only as it is within the reach of the litigants, members of the bar and the Bench. Former MLA and city Congress president Malladi Vishnu warned of action if there was no progress in the complex construction within 15 days.
Roads and buildings superintending engineer Seshu Kumar clarified that the department has issued notices to the contractor to accelerate the project execution several times. But there appears no result and the department may initiate action against the contractor for his failure to complete the works within the stipulated time.
Noor Shaik
