Visuals of former Andhra Pradesh chief minister Jagan Mohan Reddy’s office-residence have emerged showcasing unprecedented grandeaur of a luxurious seaside mansion on Rushikonda hill in Visakhapatnam.
The coastal property, which critics call Andhra’s ‘sheeshmahal,’ features four extensive blocks spread across 10 acres.
The Rushikonda structure, which Chandrababu Naidu‘s Telugu Desam Party (TDP) says was initially proposed as Reddy’s camp office, now features lavish interiors with gold accents, Italian marble floors, premium furniture, bright chandeliers and bathtubs.
The facility boasts comprehensive infrastructure including well-constructed roads, drainage networks, substantial water supply and a 100 KV electrical substation.
Similar to Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal’s ‘sheeshmahal,’ Andhra Pradesh’s new administration faces uncertainty regarding the building’s utilisation. The renovation of Kejriwal’s official residence at Flagstaff Road, Civil Lines – which the BJP used effectively against him in elections – cost Rs 33 crore, up from the initial Rs 7.9 crore estimate.
According to TDP, the project’s purpose changed multiple times during development – initially presented as a luxury hotel, then proposed as the chief minister’s camp office, and later suggested as a tourism venture.
Despite receiving CRZ (Coastal Regulatory Zone) approval from central authorities in May 2021, concerns exist about the extensive demolition of Rushikonda hill during construction.
The project, initially presented as a premium hotel with a Rs 91 crore budget, has reportedly exceeded Rs 500 crore upon completion, according to TDP assertions.
The Comptroller and Auditor General’s report suggests that including furnishings would significantly increase the total cost.
