A fresh land dispute has emerged in Visakhapatnam after a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed in the Andhra Pradesh High Court challenging the allocation of around 160 acres of valuable land belonging to the Simhachalam Devasthanam for a proposed data center project. The petitioner has alleged that the decision is unconstitutional, violates environmental norms, and amounts to improper transfer of temple-owned properties to a private company.
Simhachalam Temple Lands Allocated to Private Data Center Project
Environmental activist and national convenor of Jal Biradari, Bolisetty Satyanarayana, has filed the PIL raising serious objections over the land allotment.
According to the petition, temple lands located in Adavivaram (Survey No. 275) and Mudasarlova (Survey No. 26) in Visakhapatnam have been allocated to “Visakh Hyper Scale Data Center Park Limited”, a private entity, for establishing a large-scale data center facility.
The petitioner has questioned the legality of transferring endowment lands to private companies under the guise of “public purpose”.
“Unconstitutional Move and Violation of Environmental Laws”
The PIL argues that the land allotment is not merely an administrative decision but violates the constitutional principles governing public and religious endowment properties.
Key allegations raised in the petition include:
- Violation of rules protecting Devasthanam and endowment lands
- Ignoring regulations related to the Kambalakonda Eco-Sensitive Zone
- Breach of environmental protection laws while granting approvals
- Lack of transparency in handing over public assets to private entities
The petitioner has described the decision as an infringement of both constitutional provisions and environmental safeguar
Threat to Mudasarlova Reservoir and Ecological Balance
The petition also highlights potential environmental risks, stating that the project could severely impact the catchment area of the Mudasarlova Reservoir, a crucial water source for Visakhapatnam city.
It is argued that large-scale construction activities for the data center may disturb the ecological balance, leading to long-term consequences on local water resources and environmental sustainability.
Key Reliefs Sought from the High Court
The petitioner has requested the High Court to intervene and issue the following directions:
- Cancel all environmental clearances granted to the data center project
- Declare the allocation of Simhachalam Devasthanam lands as illegal
- Order the return of the 160 acres of land back to the Devasthanam authorities
High Court to Decide on the Future of the Disputed Lands
With the matter now under judicial consideration, the Simhachalam Devasthanam land allocation issue has gained significant legal and political attention. The case is expected to address broader questions involving the protection of religious endowment properties, environmental conservation, and the use of public assets for private development projects.
