The Andhra Pradesh Lokayukta has taken suo motu cognisance of a report on encroachments of the Penna riverbed titled ‘Major push for Rejuvenation of Penna River’ published in The Hindu edition dated March 24, 2021 and ordered the Anantapur district Collector to initiate action.
The news report highlighted the structures including the NTR Bhavan, a two-storied tourist guesthouse, a park, building of a government-run residential school and other private encroachments on the riverbed.
Taking notice of the issue, Lokayukta Justice P. Lakshamana Reddy, in an order on Thursday, said that a committee headed by the Collector should check the ground reality. “The panel should include an academician with the expertise on environmental issue or an environmentalist. The committee should submit a report within three months, along with an action plan for removal of the encroachments,” the order said.
