KHAMMAM: The proposed district abounds in industries, coal mines, mineral deposits, forest wealth, temples, tourist spots. If a new district is carved out of Khammam with Kothagudem as its headquarters, Khammam district is likely to turn ‘poor’.
Kothagudem abounds in industries, coal mines, mineral reserves and has an abundance of forests. Till now, the major revenue source to Khammam district has been Kothagudem.
As indicated by chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, the state government is planning to declare Kothagudem as a new district and arrangements are being made to announce it by Dasara.
Bhadrachalam, Pinapaka, Kothagudem, Aswaraopet and Yellandu Assembly constituencies are likely to be included in the new district of Kothagudem while Sattupalli, Khammam, Wyra, Palair and Madhira constituencies will stay in Khammam.
Coal is mainly produced in Kothagudem, Yellandu and Manugur areas and these will come under the new district. Even SCCL head office is located in Kothagudem town.
Not only this, industries like Kothagudem Thermal Power Station (KTPS), Nava Bharat ferro alloys and thermal power station, Bhadrachalam Paper Boards, the biggest industry in Asia which is producing paper and board would be part of the new district.
Also, ITC power plant, Bhadradri Power Plant located at Manuguru, and the Govt-owned mining organisation National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC) will be in the new district.
Large-scale iron ore is available in Bayyaram. Quality sand is also available in Godavari river and Bharachalam has rich forest wealth.
Major irrigation sources like Taliperu and Kinnerasani projects too are in this area. The proposed Sri Sitarama irrigation project will be built in Aswapuram mandal.
The Centre has given nod for an airport at Kothagudem. It also boasts of a mining college and a sports college.
The area is home to major tourist spots like Kinnerasani deer park, sanctuary and boating at Taliperu irrigation project, and a waterfall in Wazeedu mandal.
The popular Papikondalu tour is operated from Bhadrachalam. The famous Sri Sitarama temple at Bhadrachalam and the Ramalayam temple at Parnasala village will be another asset to Kothagudem district.
“If Kothagudem is formed as a new district, Khammam will become a poor district,” said K Ramanatham, a retired officer.
“Unfortunately, except the granite industry, there is no other major revenue source to Khammam district if Kothagudem is carved out of it,” said A Subba Rao, a BJP leader.
According to experts, Kothagudem would become the richest district after Hyderabad as it has all the major revenue sources.