The sea-facing mansion of former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, located on Rushikonda Hill in Visakhapatnam, has stirred controversy. Built on a 10-acre plot, the mansion includes four large blocks with a construction cost of ₹431 crore.When adding expenses for land, roads, drainage, water supply, and a 100 KV power substation, the total reaches ₹500 crore, though some claim it might exceed ₹600 crore.
#WATCH | Inside visuals of YS Jagan Mohan Reddy’s, former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, sea-facing mansion
Located on Rushikonda Hill in Visakhapatnam, the mansion comprises four sprawling blocks spread over 10 acres in Rushikonda. pic.twitter.com/N3FzVZCt7k— ANI (@ANI) March 13, 2025
In 2021, Reddy’s YSRCP government launched the project through the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation, presenting it as a tourism initiative. The Union Ministry of Environment and Forests approved it on May 19, 2021, for tourism development.The original plan featured seven blocks named after historical kingdoms like Vijayanagara and Kalinga, covering 19,968 square meters within a 61-acre site, with facilities like suite rooms, conference halls, and dining areas. However, many believe it was meant to serve as Reddy’s residence and office if YSRCP won the 2024 elections, especially with Visakhapatnam eyed as the new capital.
#WATCH | Inside visuals of former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy’s sea-facing mansion built on Rushikonda hill in Visakhapatnam. The mansion comprises four sprawling blocks spread over 10 acres in Rushikonda pic.twitter.com/Mr0cHDTB8I
— ANI (@ANI) March 13, 2025Inside visuals reveal features like gold detailing, Italian marble floors, and high-end furniture. Spending records show ₹95 crore for leveling the land, ₹22 crore for imported plants, ₹21 crore for beautification, ₹33 crore for luxury interiors, ₹25 lakh for a bathtub, and ₹5 crore for premium fittings. Critics have nicknamed it the “South Sheesh Mahal” due to these costs.The project has faced accusations of breaking Coastal Regulation Zone rules. Reports indicate nearly half of Rushikonda Hill was dug up, sparking environmental worries. EAS Sarma, a former government secretary, has demanded the removal of the illegal structures to protect the area’s ecology.
#WATCH | Outside visuals from former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy’s sea-facing mansion built on Rushikonda hill in Visakhapatnam.
The mansion comprises four sprawling blocks spread over 10 acres in Rushikonda pic.twitter.com/GRHmUPPwWQ— ANI (@ANI) March 13, 2025Legal experts caution that turning it into a commercial property could trigger lawsuits from environmentalists, while tearing it down would add to financial losses.Now, the TDP-led NDA government, led by Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, has criticized Reddy for misusing public funds. Eight months into its term, the government remains unsure about the mansion’s future.
#WATCH | Inside visuals of former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy’s sea-facing mansion built on Rushikonda hill in Visakhapatnam. pic.twitter.com/PnrNhNpFXp
— ANI (@ANI) March 13, 2025A senior official noted, “Its design and costly furniture make it unfit for tourism. Environmental issues rule out a luxury hotel, and it’s not suitable for a government office.” Ideas like making it a tourist spot or leasing it to private hotels have been floated, but political analyst Krishna Mohan says Naidu might first gauge public views.
