Maharashtra MP Ahir backs Telangana projects across River Godavari

Hyderabad: Union minister for chemicals and fertilizers Hansraj Gangaram Ahir has backed the irrigation projects proposed by the TS government across River Godavari.

TS irrigation minister T. Harish Rao, along with party MPs, met Mr Ahir and other MPs from Maharashtra in New Delhi on Wednesday to apprise them of the proposed irrigation projects that will benefit both the states and cause no submergence of villages.

He told Mr Ahir, MP from Chandrapur in Maharashtra, that the Congress in Maharashtra was trying to stall the projects by “spreading disinformation”.
Convinced by the argument put forward, Mr Ahir, in whose Lok Sabha constituency the irrigation projects are being taken up, said Maharashtra was positive about the projects.

“Maharashtra and TS governments are taking up irrigation projects across Pranahita and Penganga at Medigadda, Tammidihatti and other places. It will benefit both the states,” he said.

Mr Ahir added, “Congress charge that it will cause loss to Maharashtra is not true. Maharashtra will extend all cooperation to the TS government and expect similar cooperation in return for completion of the irrigation projects and other bilateral ties.”

Mr Harish Rao said, “We showed the project designs. Five barrages are being taken up across Godavari. We want to tell the truth to them in the wake of a Congress disinformation campaign and attempts to stall projects. Congress leaders speak in different tones in different states.”

He asserted not a single village will be submerged by the irrigation projects designed by the TS government. Mr Harish Rao said that the TS government has invited Maharashtra Chief Minister Devender Fadnavis, Mr Ahir and others for the Godavari Board meeting slated to be held in Hyderabad after June 1.

Finance minister Etela Rajender, TRS MPs A.P. Jitender Reddy, B. Narasaiah Goud, B.B. Patil and Kotha Prabhakar Reddy accompanied Mr Harish Rao.