*Coalition’s Rs. 100-Cr loot plan at Andhra University*

Visakhapatnam, Oct 11: YSRCP State Spokesperson Konda Rajeev Gandhi said the Coalition Government has drawn up a massive plan to divert over ₹100 crore in the name of development works at Andhra University, with project estimates being increased from about ₹95 crore to ₹210 crore within just four months.

Addressing the media at the YSRCP office in Visakhapatnam, Rajeev said official records dated June 24, 2026 placed the estimated cost of the Mega Central Mess at ₹14.50 crore, the Girls’ Hostel at ₹34.80 crore and the Boys’ Hostel at ₹45.78 crore. By October, university display boards showed the respective costs rising to ₹42.40 crore, ₹73 crore and ₹94.50 crore. He questioned how the total estimate increased by nearly 121 per cent and demanded an explanation for the additional ₹115 crore.

He also questioned why Andhra University’s own Civil Engineering Department was bypassed and the works were entrusted to APEWIDC, despite previous complaints over the quality of RUSA-I works executed during 2014-19.

Rajeev said basic infrastructure in the university remains neglected, citing the death of a student after lack of oxygen support at the campus dispensary and student protests over leaking hostels during rains. He also questioned the status of the ₹500 crore announced for the university’s centenary celebrations and reports that nearly ₹300 crore of university funds were diverted to the State Finance Corporation.

He demanded an independent expert inquiry into all construction works taken up since 2014 and public disclosure of quality-test reports. He warned that YSRCP would join students and public organisations in a major agitation if the government failed to explain the sharp escalation in project costs.