Prayed for completion of Polavaram, says Chandrababu Naidu

Vijayawada: Polavaram is the dream of Telugu people and some evil forces were creating obstacles in getting the Rs 45,000 crore needed for the completion of the project, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu said on Wednesday.

He offered special prayers at Sri Durga Malleswara Swamy Devasthanam atop Indra-keeladri on Wednesday.

Temple priests welcomed the chief minister and his wife Nara Bhuvaneshwari with a Poornakumbham and he offered Pattu Vastram to the deity on the occasion of Moola Nakshatram.

“Despite the injustice to the state during bifurcation, development happening in the state is with the grace of goddesses Kanakadurga,” Mr Naidu said.

“Many forces are trying to obstruct Polavaram project and I am trying hard to get sufficient funds from the Centre. I prayed goddess Saraswati to support my wish to complete the project by 2018,” he said. He added that the government would conduct Dasara festival on a grand scale if Polavaram comes true.

He said people of Andhra Pradesh were fortunate to have two Shakti Peethams in Vijayawada and Srisailam in the state and worshiping Saraswati will help to increase knowledge and wisdom. “I have prayed for smart water grid in AP and hope it will come true soon,” he said.

He assured that electricity tariffs will soon be reduced with advanced technology and Amaravati will become a knowledge state.

Later, the chief minister interacted with pilgrims in queue lines and enquired about the arrangements made by the officials. He appreciated the officials as a majority of pilgrims expressed satisfaction on arrangements.