Felling of trees near Tenneti Park in Visakhapatnam triggers row

Opposition parties and environmentalists call it destruction of green cover for commercial purposes; space is being created for an additional parking facility for the visitors, clarifies VMRDA

A large number of trees are being felled from the area on the foothills of Kailasagiri opposite the Tenneti Park in the city has triggered a row.

Even as the Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region Development Authority (VMRDA) authorities say that space is being created for an additional parking facility for the convenience of the visitors of Tenneti Park, the opposition leaders and environmentalists have criticised the move, alleging that trees are being felled for utilising the area for commercial purposes.

At present, Tenneti Park has a parking facility for two-wheelers near its entrance gate, while the space opposite the park is being used as a parking space for four-wheelers.

The officials say that the parking area for four-wheelers has become inadequate, especially during the weekends. With the picnic season just a few months away, creation of additional parking facility has becoemn inevitable.

Recently, Visakhapatnam Collector A. Mallikarjuna, who is also VMRDA Commissioner, has approved a series of works including installing railings, sitting benches, interlocking pavers, and increasing the car parking area at Tenneti Park with a budget of ₹77 lakh. Apart from this, an open gymnasium is also being set up at a cost of ₹5 lakh.

Fir the last few days, earth movers have been clearing the trees and levelling the land on both sides of the parking area to facilitate the expansion work.