BEAUTIFICATION DRIVE: The beach road and the adjoining area near Kailasagiri spruced up. — Photo: K. R. Deepak

VISAKHAPATNAM: With the High Court vacating the stay on the proposed four-laning of Beach Road from Appu Ghar to Bheemunipatnam, people in the planning departments of the Visakhapatnam Urban Development Authority (VUDA) and Roads and Building (R&B) are busy giving the finishing touches to the plan.

The stay was issued based on a writ filed by the District Fishermen Youth Welfare Association (DFYWA).

According to association secretary Arjilli Dasu, the extension of the present beach road to a four-lane expressway would not only destroy the natural sand dunes, age-old red sand natural formations that abut the present road and disrupt the breeding of Olive Ridley turtles, but over eight traditional fishing villages would also be affected.

`Violation' of rules

``By extending the road, VUDA would be clearly flouting the rules framed under Coastal Regulatory Zone-I and II,'' said Mr. Dasu.

Dismissing the association's claims, VUDA Vice-Chairman G. Venkatram Reddy said: "The stay has been vacated by the High Court only after obtaining a clear survey report from the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO).

As per that report, there would be no violation of CRZ rules or any disturbance caused to the natural settings.''

The Vice-Chairman said the four-lane expressway would not only enhance the potential of the city but would also give a fillip to the tourism industry.

Giving details on the project, he said that the construction of the 21-km stretch would be shared by VUDA and the R&B Department.

Project cost

``The cost of the project is estimated at Rs. 45 crores and the road would have all modern facilities like bus bays, police booths, telephone booths, emergency service stations, proper lighting, traffic islands and service roads wherever necessary. The plans are almost finalised and the construction is likely to start soon.''

While the authorities are busy fine-tuning their operation machinery, DFYWA members are gearing up for a showdown with the former. ``We are tying up with other social voluntary organisations to fight the case and to see that the displaced fishermen get a proper R&R (relief and rehabilitation) package,'' Mr. Dasu said.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail