A team led by Municipal Commissioner Puli Srinivasulu conducting an inspection of the structure which is allegedly being built in violation of rules, in Guntur.
The Guntur Municipal Corporation (GMC) has constituted a high-level committee on Monday to investigate the ongoing construction of Green Grace Apartment, as the management is allegedly continuing construction despite prior ‘stop-work orders’.
The CEO and director in-charge of the project is Ambati Murali Krishna, brother of former Minister and YSRCP senio leader Ambati Rambabu. Mr. Murali Krishna had unsuccessfully contested the Assembly elections from Ponnur constituency as a YSRCP candidate in the 2024 elections, losing to TDP’s Dhulipalla Narendra Kumar.
The civic body committee, led by Additional Commissioner Challa Obulesu, will examine supervisory lapses by urban planning officials and other irregularities, GMC Commissioner Puli Srinivasulu told The Hindu on Monday. The municipal corporation would take further action against the structure based on the report submitted by the high-level committee.
Mr. Srinivasulu stated that the apartment lacks required approvals from the municipal corporation. He said that after taking office, he reviewed all available documents and submitted a report to the government detailing the involvement of 19 officials in granting permissions for the project.
In August 2024, the GMC officials conducted a comprehensive inspection of the site and issued multiple shortfall notices, urging compliance with regulations from the Railways, Pollution Control Board, and Fire Department. Consequently, GMC issued a ‘stop-work’ notice, ordering an immediate halt to construction.
Notably, the Railways had already cancelled its NOC (No-Objection Certificate) for the project in 2023, but the cancellation was not properly communicated to urban planning authorities at the time. Despite orders to enforce the halt on construction, allegations surfaced that work was continuing on-site.
Matters escalated when a homeowner reportedly held a housewarming ceremony at the site on Sunday (February 16, 2025), prompting GMC to launch an immediate probe. Under Additional Commissioner Obulesu’s leadership, a special team comprising urban planning, deputy commissioner, engineering, and public health officials were instructed to inspect the premises and submit a detailed report.
Mr. Srinivasulu stated that based on their report, legal action would be taken against both responsible officials and the apartment management.
Published – February 17, 2025 08:12 pm IST
