*Protect Panchadharla from plunder: YSRCP*

Visakhapatnam, August 2: Former Government Whip and YSRCP Yelamanchili Constituency Coordinator Karanam Dharmasri demanded immediate action to stop large-scale illegal quarrying at the sacred Panchadharla Hill, stating that the coalition government has failed to protect one of North Andhra’s most important heritage and spiritual sites. Addressing the media at the YSRCP district office in Visakhapatnam, he said the extensive gravel excavation has caused irreparable damage to the hill and looted public wealth worth nearly Rs. 200 crore.
Dharmasri said YSRCP had brought the illegal mining to the District Collector’s notice as early as December, submitting lorry numbers, driver details and visual evidence, but officials failed to act. He stated that while permission was granted for quarrying only two hectares, mining was carried out across the hill, even before statutory approvals were obtained. Within just two months, nearly 1.67 lakh metric tonnes of gravel were illegally excavated, while a joint survey by officials itself found that over two lakh metric tonnes had been mined without authorization.
He said the excavated gravel was transported through Ritwik Company, owned by CM Ramesh, to BARC, and questioned why senior officials and those responsible for the illegal operations were being protected while only lower-level officers were suspended. He demanded the immediate suspension or resignation of the Anakapalli District Collector, criminal cases against leaseholder Vijay Kumar Naidu, cancellation of the benami lease issued in the name of Hyderabad-based Y. Srinivas, and recovery of a ₹200 crore penalty from Ritwik Company and the illegal leaseholders.
Stating that environmental and Endowments clearances were not obtained despite a 10-year lease being granted, Dharmasri demanded that the entire 32-kilometre Panchadharla hill region be declared a No Mining Zone. He affirmed that YSRCP would continue its struggle until the sanctity and heritage of Panchadharla are fully protected.