MEDIGADDA (KARIMNAGAR DIST):In a low-key affair, Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao performed Bhumi Puja for Kaleswaram Lift Irrigation Scheme, at Medigadda village on Monday. Though the government had plans to organise a grand function to mark the occasion, KCR preferred a low-key function as the memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Maharashtra could not be signed. Medigadda barrage will be located in Mahadevpur mandal in Karimnagar district.
As Maharashtra Chief Minister Devender Fadnavis was preoccupied with important programmes, the MoU with Maharashtra to construct Medigadda barrage could not be signed. In these circumstances, Rao decided to perform onlythe Bhumi Puja in a simple function and did not unveil any plaque or address the gathering.
“There are no muhurtams available in near future. That is why the Chief Minister decided to perform only Bhumi Puja. Once, the MoU with Maharashtra on Medigadda barrage is signed, then a big meeting will be organised,” sources in Irrigation department told Express.
Speaking to reporters after performing the Bhumi Puja, Chandrasekhar Rao said that the government would ensure utilisation of 1,300 tmc water from both Godavari and Krishna at any cost.
Rao blamed the previous governments of erstwhile Andhra Pradesh for the injustice meted out to Telangana in irrigation sector. “We will utilise every drop of our share from Krishna and Godavari. Some AP leaders are opposing the projects in TS. They should stop issuing useless statements against Telangana projects,” the Chief Minister added.
KCR expressed hope that the Kaleswaram Lift Irrigation Scheme would turn the entire North Telangana lands fertile.
“The Medigadda barrage across Godavari will be completed within two-and-a-half years time,” Rao declared. The Medigadda barrage is intended to draw 160 tmc of water from Godavari and divert the same to Yellampalli project. “The final agreement will be signed with Maharashtra CM soon,” Rao added.
Explaining the benefits of Kaleswaram Lift Irrigation Scheme, KCR said that the project will be beneficial for Karimnagar, Warangal, Medak, Hyderabad, Rangareddy, Nalgonda and Nizamabad districts.
“Maharashtra government cooperated very much. Even if the Medigadda barrage is not constructed as per schedule, Godavari water will be lifted through pumps and diverted to the proposed Annaram and Sundilla barrages downstream Medigadda,” KCR informed. He also said that as per the agreement with Maharashtra, Thummadi Hatti barrage in Adilabadt would also be constructed soon. Several ministers and TRS leaders participated in the ceremony.
Protests in Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh
The Bhumi Puja for Kaleswaram project met with resistance from Congress leaders in the border villages of Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh. When Chief Minister KCR arrived in Medigadda, some Congress leaders and locals from Pochampalli village in Maharashtra tried to obstruct the programme. However, both Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh had deployed a huge posse of police personnel to stop the protesters on the other side of the Godavari itself.
As Maharashtra Congress leaders opposed the barrage, Chief Minister Rao alleged that Congress leaders are speaking in different tunes. “Being a national party, Congress should have one stand. But, the leaders of the party speak in different tunes in AP, TS and Maharashtra. The Congress lacked a uniform policy,” he charged.
Once Medigadda barrage was completed, it would benefit farmers in Maharashtra state and irrigate one lakh acres there, Rao claimed.
In view of Rao’s visit, Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh police had made elaborate security arrangements in Medigadda. As the CM’s tour went off peacefully, the police of the three States heaved a sigh of relief.
Tourism Plans for Kaleswaram
Kaleswaram temple village will be developed into an international tourism destination. The village has got forest cover and water resources available and it has potential to be developed into an international tourism destination spot, said Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao before laying foundation stone for Medigadda barrage on Monday. Rao, along with his wife Shoba, also visited Sri Kalehwara Muktheshwara Swamy Devastanam, Kaleshwaram. The couple performed special pujas and offered a golden crown studded with gems worth `35 lakh to Goddess Subhananda Devi. Rao also announced funds to the tune of `25 crore for development of Kaleswara-Muktheswara Swamy temple.