Will Complete Projects Despite Congress Hurdles: KCR

Laying the foundation stone for the Sri Ram Sagar Project at Pochampad in Nizamabad district, Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao today said that the project would be filled with 90 TMC water from the Kaleswaram project in one year and irrigate 45 lakh acres besides cater to the irrigation and drinking water needs of six districts.

Addressing the public after unveiling a pylon on the occasion, KCR said that he was fortunate to have gotten the SRSP restarted, a project that remained a non-starter despite two Prime Ministers - Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi - starting its phases I and II. Neither of the phases was completed in all the years, and there was no question of a phase III, he said.

"I had spoken on the issue in 1996 - that the Andhra rulers had deprived Telangana of projects and denied waters for crops - and indeed, only after statehood for the region are we now able to restart this project," he said.

The CM said that upon the completion of the project, the 200 km stretch along the Godavari would have waters forever.

"For completing the project, we will spend adequate funds to complete the barrages at Sundilla, Medigadda and Annaram to fill the project with 90 TMC. With just 8 TMC water capacity, the area is denied water for crops as about 250 TMC waters are going waste into the sea. If we can complete these barrages on time, the SRSP will get waters by ensuring that the Godavari gets a minimum of 70 TMC waters year long by February or March next year," KCR clarified. "Then there will be no need for the farmers to look at the sky for rains. The entire region under the project will also be developed into a tourist spot enabling film shootings, too."

The CM called upon the public to ask the opposition parties why they were systematically obstructing the irrigation projects of the state. He took a dig at the Congress for filing 96 cases against the Kaleswaram project, and said that the public should teach them a lesson.

"We have procured 4,500 of the necessary 4,600 acres for the Konda Pochamma project in spite of the Congress moving courts with its local leaders, as the completion of the projects will render them jobless and with no future," he claimed. "We will complete the project despite the opposition's hurdles, and with that the north Telangana region that was deprived of water for decades by successive governments will get abundant waters."

KCR also promised the farmers interest-free loans to boost agricultural activity, as also implement investment schemes for their benefit. The government would also give 24-hour power from the next Yasangi season in the state, he declared.

"Right now we are offering 24-hour power supply in three districts on a pilot basis," KCR said. "Upon its success, the government will extend the same to the remaining districts by the next Yasangi (Rabi) season. We will also offer interest-free loans, and have already promised to offer Rs 4,000 per acre and Rs 8,000 for two seasons."