Fri Mar 28 05:14:48 UTC 2025: ## Andhra Pradesh Government Faces Backlash Over LuLu Group Land Deal

**Visakhapatnam, March 28, 2025** – The Andhra Pradesh government’s decision to allocate 13 acres of prime Harbour Park land in Visakhapatnam to the LuLu Group has sparked widespread outrage. Opposition parties, environmentalists, and activists are vehemently protesting the deal, citing concerns about transparency, financial losses, and environmental impact.

YSRCP MLC Botcha Satyanarayana criticized the government for allegedly handing over land worth ₹2,000 crore to the LuLu Group without following proper procedures. He questioned the rationale behind providing a ₹170 crore subsidy and a 99-year lease for a commercial establishment on valuable beachfront property, especially given the low price of ₹50 lakh per acre.

CPI(M) Visakha district secretary M. Jaggu Naidu echoed these concerns, arguing that the land should have been allocated for public benefit, such as a science museum. He warned that the project would disrupt the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) area and negatively impact local businesses.

Adding to the controversy, retired bureaucrat E.A.S. Sarma pointed out that the land falls within a CRZ prohibited area, subject to strict regulations, including a ban on borewells. He emphasized that such public land should be reserved for public use, not private gain.

The opposition’s criticism centers on the perceived lack of transparency in the land allocation process and the significant financial loss to the state exchequer due to the low sale price and substantial subsidies. The controversy continues to unfold, with protests mounting against what critics deem a questionable deal favoring private interests over public welfare.

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