ONGOLE: Reiterating that the government is making efforts to make Prakasam district drought-proof, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has promised to expedite the works of Veligonda Project and other projects in the district by giving them top priority.
At a public meeting in Singarayakonda, as part of his one-day visit to Prakasam district, here on Saturday, Naidu said that with chances of bringing 100 tmcft water from river Godavari to Krishna Delta through Pattiseema Lift Irrigation Project, there is now a chance to take up sowing operations in June itself. He directed the officials concerned to revive 952 tanks in the district under NREGS by removing the silt, so rain water is retained and groundwater levels are recharged.
Welcoming the suggestion of his Telangana counterpart K Chandrasekhar Rao for mutual cooperation, he underscored the need for the Central government’s assistance, as promised, for achieving a level playing field with the neighbouring states.
When Venkateswara Rao, a farmer from Santamaguluru mandal suggested removal of encroachments on several lands, canals and tanks under Nagarjuna Sagar Right Canal for setting up a solar park and reviving of water bodies, so there won’t be shortage water in the district, Naidu directed district collector Sujatha Sharma to take immediate action for identifying such lands and tanks, and resume the same.
He also gave his nod to setting up a fish market at a cost of Rs 1.25 crore in Singarayakonda, a double road between Kondapi and Podili, modernisation of Kandukur-Kanigiri road, 30-bedded hospital in Singarayakonda and development of Pakala beach as tourism destination.
Ministers Ravela Kishore Babu, Devineni Umamaheswara Rao and Sidda Raghava Rao were present.
Naidu Seconds River Water Sharing
Ongole: Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu felt that it will not bode well for either Andhra Pradesh or Telangana if governments of both the states are at loggerheads, particularly regarding river water sharing. Welcoming Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao’s statement during his Bhadrachalam visit, where he called for cooperation between the two states, Chandrababu Naidu said from the beginning he had been saying the same thing. He said any issue can be resolved by deliberations and that there are several problems pertaining to state bifurcation, including river water sharing that can resolved through talks.