Chevireddy – RTC Lands: What’s The Story?

In what can be a gross abuse of power by the previous government, Jagan’s close aide, YSRCP leader and former MLA Chevireddy Bhaskar Reddy set his sights on RTC lands. He allegedly struck a deal with a private mall and moved forward with a detailed, devious plan, using his power to manipulate the process. He turned the tender process into a farce, allegedly threatening those who quoted higher prices and pressuring them to withdraw.

Chevireddy reportedly even brought RTC officials to his side. Eventually, he secured empty lands at 17 RTC bus stands across AP under his son Chevireddy Mohit Reddy’s name.

Chevireddy & Co initiated works on Sunday at the Ongole RTC bus depot site. This was obstructed and opposed by Jana Sena district president Riaz. He demanded to halt all the works and stated that the leases in the name of Chevireddy would soon be cancelled by the newly formed NDA government in the state. He said a thorough inquiry would also be ordered into Chevireddy’s land scam.

Leasing Land to a Mall

Chevireddy reportedly agreed to lease lands in 70 locations to a private mall. He eyed RTC assets, pressuring the company officials through party leaders under the guise of development and revenue generation to call for tenders for leasing RTC lands across the state. He managed to secure RTC lands in 17 places, bypassing the tendered companies through coercion and threats. A month before the general election schedule was announced, the company declared tenders for RTC property leases.

The land measuring 40 cents near Ongole RTC bus stand, valued at approximately Rs 20 crores, was up for lease for 15 years with a monthly rent of Rs 1.80 lakhs. Chevireddy filed a tender in his son Mohit Reddy’s name. Two others, including a woman and a private doctor, quoted higher prices. Chevireddy allegedly threatened them to withdraw their bids. Additionally, it’s reported that a senior RTC official in Nellore received hefty bribes to favour Chevireddy. All of this reportedly resulted in Chevireddy Mohit Reddy (who is in the third spot in the tender) securing the tender.