VIJAYAWADA: The Andhra Pradesh High Court has issued an interim stay on construction activities allegedly undertaken at Pedda Cheruvu, located in Narsipatnam municipality of Anakapalli district, under the banner of “Srushti Kshetram”.
The court was hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by former MLA Petla Uma Shankar Ganesh, challenging the alleged encroachment of the water body by State Assembly Speaker Chintakayala Ayyannapatrudu and his son.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice Dhiraj Singh Thakur and Justice Cheemalapati Ganapathi Rao passed the orders on Wednesday, directing that no construction activities be carried out within the lake.
However, the bench permitted works related to the strengthening of the lake bund and beautification, subject to prior submission of a detailed action plan to the court.
The court also issued notices to the Chief Secretary, Principal Secretary of the Water Resources department, district collectors concerned, and Ayyannapatrudu in his personal capacity, seeking detailed counter-affidavits.
The matter has been posted for further hearing on June 17.
During the hearing, senior counsel Ponnavolu Sudhakar Reddy, representing the petitioner, argued that Pedda Cheruvu supports an ayacut of 345.25 acres and serves as a crucial water source for farmers. He alleged that parts of the lake were being filled to facilitate construction, including plans to install large statues of Lord Shiva and Parvati.
While clarifying that the petitioner was not opposed to the installation of statues per se, the counsel stressed that such activities should not come at the cost of a vital irrigation resource.
On the other hand, Special Government Pleader Singamaneni Pranati contended that no unauthorised construction was taking place and that only desilting, bund strengthening, and beautification works were being undertaken without any construction permissions granted. After examining details, the court ordered an immediate halt to all construction activities within the lake.