Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao expressed deep sorrow over the demise of Irrigation Advisor R Vidyasagar Rao.
Ever since Vidyasagar Rao had been admitted to Continental Hospitals after deterioration of his health, the CM had been in constant touch with the hospital administration, enquiring about his health condition. The CM also personally visited the hospital and saw the ailing Vidyasagar Rao.
"During the Telangana statehood movement, Vidyasagar Rao had painstakingly collected statistics on how injustice was being done to the region in the irrigation sector, and created awareness among the people on the issue. The way Rao waged a battle over the cheating and injustice being done to the Telangana region in the water and irrigation sectors was unique and unparalleled. Rao gave valuable advice to the TRS and to me, and remained a guiding force.
"The vast experience of Vidyasagar Rao in the irrigation field had immensely helped Telangana after statehood when the irrigation projects needed to be re-designed. After K Jayashankar, Rao was another great personality that Telangana had, and the people of the state will never forget him. It is unfortunate that he has left us midway when we are realising the dream of giving water to one crore acres in the state. Rao was not only a good friend to me, but also an elder brother and member of my family," the Chief Minister said, and conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the members of the bereaved family.
The Chief Minister instructed Chief Secretary S P Singh to accord a state funeral to Rao. He also plans to name one big irrigation project after him. It is likely that the government will name either the Palamur-Ranga Reddy or the Kaleshwaram project after him - both are considered big projects in the state.