GVMC flattens go-kart park in Vizag owned by TDP minister's close aide
The GVMC officials, along with police personnel, flattened a go-kart park at Mangamaripeta beach, about 20 km from Visakhapatnam, in the early hours of 21 November. The park was run by Kasi Associates,
By Newsmeter Network Published on 21 Nov 2020 7:32 PM IST
Visakhapatnam: The GVMC officials, along with police personnel, flattened a go-kart park at Mangamaripeta beach, about 20 km from Visakhapatnam, in the early hours of 21 November. The park was run by Kasi Associates, represented by Kasi Viswanath who is a close aide of former TDP minister Ganta Srinivasa Rao.
The go-kart park, spread across an acre, violated CRZ norms, said a senior GVMC official who led the team. They later put up boards warning encroachers.
Kasi told this correspondent that the land belonged to a private company, Vizag Profiles, and he had signed a lease agreement for 10 years in 2010. He had invested Rs. 4.5 crore and developed the go-kart park and other entertainment centres on the beach which attracted a large number of tourists.
"The lease ends next month. I would have vacated the land voluntarily. There was no need for the officials to demolish the temporary structures and damage furniture without prior notice," he said. The one-of-its-kind entertainment centre also drew the attention of former Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu, he said, adding Mr. Naidu was impressed with the park and had asked him to develop a similar park in Amaravati.
Denying the allegations that CRZ norms had been violated, Kasi said he had obtained permission from VUDA (now VMRDA) for the temporary structures.
Meanwhile, a senior GVMC official said they have launched a special drive on the Beach Road to demolish all structures which violated CRZ norms.
