Three-capital reminder: Rushikonda Hill constructions remain unsolved

Rushikonda Hill's controversial constructions remain unresolved as Andhra Pradesh navigates its three-capital debate amidst ongoing political tensions.

As the Lok Sabha passed the Bill making Amaravati as the permanent capital of Andhra Pradesh, a massive structure next to the scenic Rushikonda Beach continues to spark debate, standing as the only reminder of the former government’s three-capital proposal in the State.

It all traces back to August 2021, when the existing Haritha Tourism Resort of the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC) atop Rushikonda hill was demolished as part of what was initially described as a tourism facelift project. However, concerns escalated when construction activity rapidly expanded across the hill. Leaders of the NDA alleged that more than 60 acres of land was cleared for construction.

Opposition parties at that time, including the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and Jana Sena Party (jsp), accused the then YSR Congress Party government of constructing a Chief Minister’s residence-cum-camp office under the guise of tourism infrastructure. However, the government, maintained the project as one for tourism resorts. The project soon became a hub for controversy, with legal challenges filed before the National Green Tribunal (NGT) over alleged environmental violations. Protests by opposition party cadres led to arrests and filing of criminal cases.

Amid these disputes, the buildings were formally inaugurated in February 2024, just months ahead of the Assembly elections. At the time, the then Tourism Minister R. K. Roja reiterated that the buildings were developed as tourism assets, adding that their utilisation would be decided by the Chief Minister. During the period, when the three-capital proposal was under consideration, with Visakhapatnam as the executive capital, the government had constituted a committee to identify suitable locations for the Chief Minister’s residence and camp office. The committee suggested the Rushikonda structures as a preferred option.

Four months later, the NDA alliance secured a huge mandate. On June 16, 2024, newly elected MLA Ganta Srinivasa Rao, along with leaders of the Jana Sena Party, entered the Rushikonda premises and claimed that the structures were intended to function as the Chief Minister’s residence and camp office. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu had also visited the constructions and expressed his shock, for executing a project allegedly for the CM’s home at a cost of ₹450 crore.

Tourism Minister Kandula Durgesh criticised the expenditure, stating that the previous Haritha Resort had generated an annual revenue of about ₹7 crore, whereas the new complex incurs a monthly maintenance cost of approximately ₹25 lakh.