YSRCP leader and former Minister Gudivada Amarnath addressing a press conference in Visakhapatnam on Sunday.
| Photo Credit: V RAJU
Former Minister Gudivada Amarnath on Sunday alleged that large-scale illegal mining was being carried out at the sacred Panchadarla hill in Anakapalli district by NDA leaders. He announced that the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) would organise a ‘Chalo Panchadarla’ protest on July 21 to highlight the alleged destruction of the hill and demand immediate intervention by the government.Former Minister and MLC Botcha Satyanarayana, former Minister K. Kannababu and several senior party leaders would participate in the programme.Addressing a press conference at the YSRCP office in the city on Saturday, Mr. Amarnath alleged that the NDA government had been allowing indiscriminate mining in the ecologically and spiritually significant hill, which houses the ancient Sri Uma Dharmalingeswara Swamy temple. He alleged that the NDA leaders in the name of their benamis have facilitated mining permissions, and that mining is being carried out round-the-clock over the past two months, with thousands of lorry loads of gravel being transported from the site.“The mining operators have exceeded the permitted lease boundaries, causing extensive environmental damage. The excavation is affecting the sanctity of the temple and disrupting the natural springs at the Panchadarla hill, resulting in muddy water flowing from the sacred water sources instead of clear water,” he alleged.Former MLA Karanam Dharmasri demanded that the State government immediately cancel the mining lease and declare the Panchadarla hill region a ‘No Mining Zone’. He said that the issue was not a political battle but a movement to protect a sacred temple and preserve the region’s natural heritage. He also claimed that repeated representations to various government departments had failed to yield any action.Mr. Dharmasri described the Panchadarla hill as one of the most ancient and sacred temple sites with historical and mythological significance during the era of the Pandavas.’ He alleged that the NDA leaders were destroying a site which holds immense religious importance through illegal mining. He further alleged that the local residents had expressed serious concern and had submitted their complaints to the authorities, but no action had been taken. Published - July 19, 2026 08:11 pm IST
