YSR Congress Party leaders inspecting 'Panchadarla' hills, as part of 'Chalo Panchadarla' protest, in Anakapalli district on Tuesday.
\| Photo Credit: BY ARRANGEMENT

Former Minister and YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) regional coordinator Kurasala Kannababu on Tuesday compared the scale of mining at Panchadarla in Anakapalli district to scenes from the film KGF, alleging that indiscriminate quarrying by leaders of the ruling NDA had caused extensive damage to the hills, which are regarded as a sacred pilgrimage site and are believed to date back to the era of the Pandavas.

The YSRCP organised a ‘Chalo Panchadarla’ protest from Visakhapatnam to Anakapalli, alleging large-scale illegal mining at the Panchadarla hills. Senior party leaders, including MLC Botcha Satyanarayana, former Ministers Kurasala Kannababu and Gudivada Amarnath, former MLA Karanam Dharmasri and others, visited the site, inspected the alleged mining areas and addressed the media.

Mr. Kannababu demanded that the State government immediately issue a Government Order suspending all mining operations in the area and declare the hill a protected zone.

He alleged that two mining companies were involved in the quarrying activities. One of them, he claimed, was directly linked to Anakapalli MP C.M. Ramesh, while the other was associated with one of the MP’s close aides from Kadapa. He also alleged that leaders of the ruling NDA were intimidating local residents and public representatives who had been raising objections to the alleged illegal mining.

Referring to the District Review Committee meeting held in Anakapalli on July 20, Mr. Kannababu claimed that officials and public representatives had acknowledged that illegal mining was taking place in the region. He questioned the action taken by the district administration against those allegedly responsible.

Drawing a comparison with the controversy over tourism-related construction works at Rushikonda during the previous YSRCP government’s tenure, Mr. Kannababu alleged that the then Opposition had opposed those works, citing the hill’s historical significance. The same leaders were now allowing the destruction of a sacred hill, he alleged.

Former Minister Gudivada Amarnath alleged that those who claimed to be protectors of Sanatana Dharma had remained silent despite what he described as the destruction of a sacred religious site and an ecologically sensitive hill range. He alleged that the mining activities were damaging the environment and hurting the sentiments of devotees.

Former MLA Karanam Dharmasri described Panchadarla as an ancient temple site with historical, cultural and mythological significance. Referring to local belief, he said the Pandavas had stayed in the region during their exile and that the five natural springs, from which Panchadarla derives its name, had flowed continuously since ancient times. He alleged that extensive mining had disturbed the natural springs and affected their flow.

Published - July 21, 2026 08:14 pm IST