VIZIANAGARAM: Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has dedicated the Sardar Gouthu Latchanna Thotapalli project to the nation after inaugurating the spill way works of the reservoir and unveiling the project pylon on Thursday. He laid the foundation-stone for the project on September 10, 2003.
The project is aimed at providing irrigation water to about 1.24 lakh acres in Vizianagaram and Srikakuilam districts. The state government has announced that water will be released from the Thotapalli reservoir for the present kharif crops and completed the works.
Addressing a public meeting near the reservoir, Chandrababu Naidu said the project was delayed due to the Congress rule in the state from 2004 to 2014. However, he congratulated the officials who had completed the pending works in one year.
“The government has recognised the need for inter-linking of rivers in the state. The Godavari waters will be supplied to Krishna district through Pattiseema project. The government has decided to bring the Godavari water to Visakhapatnam and, if necessary, the water will also be supply to Vizianagarm through the lift irrigation scheme. The Pattiseema project will be inaugurated on Septembr 16,” Chandrababu Naidu said.
The chief minister has assured the people of the Srikakulam and Vizianagaram that his government would put an end to migrations from both the districts. He said water from rivers Nagavali and Vamsadhara would be supplied to both the districts for irrigation purpose.
The chief minister said that eight minor irrigation projects were completed at a cost of `18 crore and the Jhanjhavathi, Vengalaraya and Vattigedda projects would also be completed soon. Already, the government has directed the officials to construct check dams and water tanks to conserve water in the district.
Talking about the Bhogapuram international airport, the chief minister said that after construction of the airport in Vizianagaram, rapid development would take place in the district and a large number of employment opportunities would be generated. He promised all help to farmers who have given their lands for the airport.
Union Minister P Ashok Gajapathi Raju, ministers Palle Raghunatha Reddy, P Pulla Rao, K Mrunalini, P Suneetha, K Atchennaidu, Vizianagaram collector MM Naik, Srikakkulam Collector P Lakshminarasimham and chairperson of Zilla Parishad Swathi Rani were present.