Visakhapatnam’s revered Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple at Simhachalam has once again become the center of political and environmental controversy. Allegations that large-scale excavation is taking place on the sacred hill, and that the work has been concealed behind green nets to keep it out of sight of devotees performing the annual Giripradakshina, have triggered widespread debate.
Questions are now being raised over whether the government is cutting into the hill in the name of development and whether the green screens were installed to prevent devotees from witnessing the ongoing works.
Green Nets Allegedly Used to Hide Excavation from Devotees
According to allegations made by local residents and opposition leaders, the excavation works on Simhachalam Hill would be clearly visible from the Giripradakshina route. To prevent devotees from seeing the activity, green-colored mesh screens have reportedly been erected along the route.
Critics question whether the primary intention behind these coverings is to conceal the scale of the excavation from the lakhs of devotees who participate in the annual Giripradakshina.
Is the Hill Being Leveled? Environmental Concerns Intensify
As per the allegations, heavy machinery is being used for excavation and land-leveling works on the hill. Critics claim that the natural landscape is being altered by cutting into rock formations to prepare the area for construction activities.
Environmental experts caution that extensive excavation in hill regions could increase the risk of soil erosion, landslides, and changes in natural water drainage patterns, potentially causing long-term ecological damage.
Key Questions Being Raised
The controversy has led to several questions from local residents and concerned citizens:
- Who granted permission for the excavation on Simhachalam Hill?
- Which project requires such large-scale excavation?
- Were all necessary environmental clearances obtained?
- Why were green nets installed along the Giripradakshina route?
- If the works are fully transparent, why is there a need to conceal them?
Critics argue that no clear explanation has yet been provided by the concerned departments regarding these issues.
Simhachalam Hill: More Than Just a Tourist Destination
Simhachalam Hill is not merely a tourist attraction. It is home to the centuries-old Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple, one of Andhra Pradesh’s most significant spiritual landmarks.
Every year, lakhs of devotees participate in the sacred Giripradakshina around the hill. Allegations that the hill’s natural structure is being altered have therefore caused concern among devotees as well as environmentalists.
Development at the Cost of the Environment?
Opposition leaders and local residents allege that the excavation is being carried out under the guise of development while efforts are being made to shield the work from public view using green screens.
They argue that undertaking such activities without fully informing the public raises serious questions about transparency and accountability.
Locals Demand Immediate Clarification
Residents are urging the government, the Endowments Department, and concerned officials to issue an immediate clarification on the matter.
Among the key demands are:
- What is the purpose of the excavation?
- How many acres are being developed?
- Have all environmental approvals been secured?
- What is the official reason for installing the green nets?
Locals insist that complete details should be disclosed to maintain public confidence.
The Final Question: Who Will Protect Simhachalam Hill?
The allegations surrounding excavation activities on Simhachalam Hill have now become a statewide topic of discussion. In particular, claims that the excavation has been hidden behind green nets to keep it out of devotees’ sight have intensified the controversy.
Given Simhachalam’s immense religious, cultural, and environmental significance, many believe that every activity undertaken on the hill should be completely transparent. Local residents and environmental activists are calling on the government to provide a comprehensive explanation to address the concerns and remove the doubts surrounding the ongoing works.
