Reservoir to submerge Malkapur's ancient sites

WARANGAL: The proposed reservoir between Lingamapalli and Malkapur villages in Velair Mandal of Jangaon district is likely to submerge the entire Lingampalli village and along with it, several historical sites it is proud of. This is making the villagers hesitant to give consent for the project. According to local historian Reddy Ratnakar Reddy, a huge dolmen which he claimed as the biggest in the country, a Shiva Lingam with ancient inscription and several remains of stone-age habitation on the hillocks in the village will be swallowed by the reservoir. 

Deputy chief minister Kadiyam Srihari, MLA T. Rajaiah, district collector T. Vinay Krishna Reddy and Devadula chief engineer Bangaraiah held a meeting with the farmers of the village on Sunday and asked them not to oppose the construction of the reservoir.

The state government has released Rs 3,227 crore for the reservoir which can store 10.78 tmc of water from the Devadula lift irrigation project. Mr Srihari said the reservoir is meant to irrigate 6.21 lakh acres of land, of which 5.51 lakh acres lie in Warangal district, besides meeting the drinking water needs of the district. "This project is being taken up in the interest of farmers. The state has no intention of doing any injustice. This project will help many farmers," he told the agitating farmers.