Rs 500 crore Andhra palace: Tourism dream or political controversy?

A Rs 500 crore mega-project in Andhra Pradesh was supposed to be a tourism hub. But now? It’s caught in a massive political storm.

Transcript

00:00This 500 crore rupees palace in Andhra Pradesh was supposed to be a tourism project.

00:05But now, it's at the centre of a massive political storm.

00:08Gold embellishments, Italian marble, plush furnishings.

00:12Four massive blocks spread over 10 acres in Roshikonda, a prime coastal hub.

00:20Critics say it wasn't for tourists, but for former Chief Minister Jaganmohan Reddy's

00:24personal use.

00:25And that kind of Italian marble waste of money is a crime against the people of Andhra Pradesh.

00:31It is in a democracy and the people, the money belongs to the people.

00:36This complex was allegedly built in violation of coastal regulation zone norms.

00:40Nearly half of this scenic hill, excavated, environmentalists are furious.

00:45The project got clearance only for tourism, but the rivals of the former CM claim it was

00:49a private palace in disguise.

00:55Now with a new government in charge, CM Chandrababu Naidu is looking for ways to repurpose this

00:59estate.

01:00His administration says public money, maybe over 600 crore rupees, was wasted.

01:05They all realised public money cannot be wasted.

01:09But unfortunately here, public money was plunged.

01:12While the TDP wants answers, Jagan's party defends the project, calling it legal.

01:17But former government official EAS Sarma has a more drastic solution.

01:21Tear it down and restore Rishi Gonda's ecology.

01:27What happens now?

01:29Public asset or political liability?

01:31Let us know what you think.