The CPI has demanded that the Andhra Pradesh government withdraw its decision to permit beach shacks along the State’s coastline, saying that the move would promote liquor consumption under the guise of tourism development and adversely affect public safety.
In a statement on Thursday, CPI State secretary Gujjula Eswaraiah accused the government of attempting to gradually transform A.P. into a ‘liquor-centric State’, on the pretext of tourism development.
Referring to GO No. 362, Mr. Eswaraiah said the government had proposed to set up beach shacks at selected coastal locations as part of a pilot project aimed at promoting coastal tourism. According to the policy, the initiative is expected to be implemented in all 12 coastal districts at sites identified by the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC), with permissions proposed from September 1, 2026, to August 31, 2029.
He noted that Surya Lanka and Visakhapatnam beaches had been identified for the first phase of the project and questioned the government’s claim that the initiative would create new tourist attractions and generate local employment.
Demanding the immediate withdrawal of the beach shacks policy, Mr. Eswaraiah urged the government to pursue tourism development in a manner that is socially acceptable and beneficial to all sections of society.
Published – June 18, 2026 11:53 pm IST
