Andhra Pradesh Govt Moves Supreme Court Against NGT Order Halting Rushikonda Hills Tourism Project

The State of Andhra Pradesh has appealed to the Supreme Court against an order of the National Green Tribunal which halted the construction works at Rushikonda Hills in Visakhapattanam as part of a tourism project.

Senior Advocate Dr.Abhishek Manu Singhvi mentioned the State's appeal for urgent mentioning before a vacation bench comprising Justices DY Chandrachud and Bela Trivedi.

Dr.Singhvi submitted that the NGT first passed an ex-parte order staying the project, and later confirmed the order by rejecting the State's objection on May 20. He said that the stay was passed when 50% of the work was over. As ground for urgency, the senior counsel cited the impending monsoons.

The bench agreed to list the matter next Monday.

The NGT passed the order on a petition filed by MP K. Raghu Ramakrishna Raju, alleging violation of CRZ norms by the project.