Inside Rushikonda's opulent new government building: A Rs 500-crore lavish complex intended as CM camp office

Visakhapatnam: What’s inside the newly constructed tourism complex at Rushikonda in Vizag? Built with the intent to become former chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy’s camp office after elections, the building was constructed with an approximate budget of Rs 500 crores by the previous YSRCP government.

On Sunday, TDP leaders including MLA Ganta Srinivasa Rao, and Jana Sena Party (JSP) leaders visited Rushikonda and released visuals to the public of the lavish complex from the inside.

The move comes just a week afterchief minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu and his Cabinet took oath in the newly formed AP government.

‘Extravagant designs similar to how Saddam Hussein built for himself’

Visuals show the luxurious construction of the complex; it has conference tables, chairs, sofa seats arranged, chandeliers and a bathtub.

Speaking to the media, TDP MLA Ganta Srinivasa Rao said, “The inside view shows that the so-called palace of YS Jagan was constructed lavishly only for his personal use. Such structures were seen during Saddam Hussein’s time and now Jagan has constructed this palace. Ever since they started construction, things were kept secret and barricades were put up restricting entry to everyone. Expert teams have said the building was constructed by violating norms.”

“We would discuss with chief minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu and he will decide on how to utilise the complex,” said Ganta.

Why was Rushikonda in the spotlight?

‘Green mats over Rushikonda’ was trending online after photos of a green carpet-like cover were seen on Rushikonda hill in February 2023 at the time when arrangements were made for the Global Investors Summit and G20 Summit.

Rumours were that the officials covered the excavation site with a geo-mat technology in the Rushikonda area ahead of the Global Investors Summit and G20 Summit in March. About 250 delegates from all over the world attended the conference from G20 countries

Later, a resort run by the APTDC was demolished in February 2022 when the State government allegedly planned to construct a five-storeyed hotel cum resort.

The resort was built under the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation’s Rushikonda Redevelopment Project at the cost of Rs 500 crores. While new buildings are being constructed on Rushikonda hill, some of the buildings were planned to be allocated for the State government offices, including the CM’s office.

In February, the earlier YSRCP government inaugurated Haritha Resorts in Rushikonda which has been redeveloped as a world-class tourism resort. Seven buildings in the resort were inaugurated in Rushikonda and were said to be utilised for accommodating more tourists.

Jagan planned camp office in ‘Executive Capital’ Vizag

On January 31, 2023, Jagan announced that Visakhapatnam will be the new capital of Andhra Pradesh and he will also shift to the city.

Even during the Global Investors Summit 2023, Jagan Mohan Reddy said Visakhapatnam, which will be the Executive Capital, will help in the Ease of Doing Business. He invited the delegates to visit Vizag and see the investment opportunities.

Since last year, Jagan has been planning to shift to Visakhapatnam and set up a camp office in the city. However, plans have been postponed.

Based on former chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy’s decision, buildings were planned to be transformed into the CM camp office.

Pawan Kalyan denied entry

In August 2023, the police did not allow JSP chief Pawan Kalyan into the Rushikonda area and strictly told the JSP leaders to stay on the opposite side of the road (from the constructions). At that time, rope parties were mobilised to ensure that the JSP leaders and supporters did not cross the road.

Pawan Kalyan said that Jagan has blatantly violated environmental norms at the Rushikonda hill, by destroying it. “What exactly is a government building? Is it the chief minister’s house? How many houses does the CM want? Why does he want a scenic view instead of staying at the Circuit House,” questioned Pawan Kalyan during his visit in 2023.

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