SANKARPALLI (RANGA REDDY DIST): The Congress has threatened to launch a massive protest if the TRS government goes ahead with its plan to alter the design of the Pranahitha-Chevella Irrigation project. They slammed KCR for his intention to exclude Ranga Reddy district from the ambit of the project.
Led by former home minister P Sabitha Indra Reddy, Congress leaders Rammohan Reddy, D Sudheer Reddy, Srisailam Goud and others visited the project site at Sankarpalli in Ranga Reddy district on Friday. They walked through a tunnel, 120 metres below sea level, with media personnel in tow, to inspect the ongoing works.
Later, at a press conference, Sabitha said, “Today, the government finds fault with the design okayed by the WAPCOS. And, again they want the same firm to take up a fresh survey to change the design.”
The former home minister saw ulterior motives behind the government move to re-design the project. She said that the TRS government was paranoid as the credit would go to Congress if the project became successful as it began during YS Rajashekar Reddy’s rule in united AP.
Stating that Ranga Reddy district has minimal irrigation resources, she asked how would the government meet the requirements of Ranga Reddy. As per the plan, 30 TMC was earmarked for drinking water needs of Hyderabad and 16 TMC for industrial needs in Ranga Reddy district, she added. Sabitha further pointed out that if the proposed change were to happen, over `1,000 crore would be wasted and also, it would take another five to six years to obtain permissions for the new design.