AP govt invites public ideas on how to use Rushikonda Palace
The palace was initially constructed as a tourism facility
By - Sri Lakshmi Muttevi
Amaravati: The State government has initiated steps to put the Rushikonda Palace, constructed during the previous YSRCP regime in Visakhapatnam, to effective use. The Tourism Department has invited suggestions and ideas from the public on the best ways to utilise these buildings.
Tourism Authority CEO Amrapali announced that suggestions can be emailed to rushikonda@aptdc.in.
Meeting to review plans with organisations on October 17
She added that a meeting will be held on October 17 with national and international organisations, who are also encouraged to share their proposals.
A group of ministers will review all the suggestions received from citizens and organisations, following which the government will take a final decision.
Rs 500 crore for palace on Rushikonda
It may be recalled that former Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has spent Rs 500 crore to build a palace on Rushikonda Hill, Visakhapatnam. The palace, with four spacious blocks, has come up on a sprawling 10-acre plot on a flat surface on the picturesque Rushikonda with a rare sea view.
The palace was initially constructed as a tourism facility but was later said to become the resident-cum-camp office of YS Jagan in the event of YSRCP returning to power in the 2024 elections, as Visakhapatnam was also tipped to be the capital.
The sea-view palace, built with Italian marble, 200 chandeliers, 12 bedrooms, multi-hued illumination, and other luxuries.
Rs 2,000 crore can be total value of the infrastructure
According to the ruling party, the market value of land in these locations and the estimated expenditure on buildings could total up to Rs 2,000 crore.
They alleged that these illegally occupied lands belong to departments like the Irrigation and Endowments, some are assigned lands and some are prohibited lands, which were allotted to the party at will, totally misusing the power.
