Andhra Pradesh: CM to sound Centre on iconic bridge at Siddeswaram

Kurnool: Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said he would press the Centre for construction of an iconic bridge and barrage on River Krishna near Siddeswaram to address the region’s water problem.

After visiting the Srisailam temple and performing Jalaharati in the temple town on Thursday, he spoke at a ‘Mana Ooru, Mana Sampada’ meeting in Sundipenta.

The Chief Minister promised to enrich Rayalaseema by planning to divert floodwaters to projects instead of letting them flow into the sea.

He said, "Some 20 years ago, Srisailam was full in July. Now it is again full of water. The blessings of all the people and the grace of Mallikarjuna Swamy are evident. It is the responsibility of all to avoid drought in Rayalaseema through irrigation projects.”

Naidu stated, "If NTR helped start the Handri-Neeva, SRBC and Galeru-Nagari reservoirs, I have completed them. We have spent about `69,000 crore in five years. The YSRC government spent only Rs 19,000 crore on them. We spent almost Rs 13,600 crore every year and `5,520 crore in five years for Handri Neeva. The previous government spent only Rs 515 crore. If we spent Rs 2,050 crore on Galeru Nagari, they spent only Rs 448 crore."

Naidu noted that there are four airports in Rayalaseema, along with hydro and wind power projects. Efforts are being made to establish large-scale agro-based industries and food processing units in Rayalaseema, and “we will develop the necessary infrastructure for this.”

Welcoming the Supreme Court's decision on SC categorization, Naidu said, "The apex court approved the reason for A, B, C, D categorization of SCs. Everyone wants social justice, and we will do justice to every caste, religion and class on the basis of population."

He reiterated his appeal to club sets of 10 people who are financially well off and another 25 people from BPL into the growth process. “Currently, we are giving pensions to the poor by spending Rs 33,000 crore.”

The Chief Minister promised to contribute to making Srisailam more famous as a divine place and to solve local problems. Steps would be taken to make the iconic highway bridge at Siddeswaram serve as a reservoir as well, he said.

Nandyal MP Byreddy Shabari said AP was given high priority in the Union Budget and around Rs 4,000 crores have been allocated for the Rayalaseema region. “An iconic bridge was sanctioned at Siddeswaram and if a barrage is also established there along with the bridge, we will be able to utilize 60tmc of water.”

Ministers NMD Farooq, BC Janardhan Reddy, Nimmala Ramanaidu, district collector G Rajakumari, legislators Budda Rajasekhar Reddy, Bhuma Akhila Priya, Gowru Charita Reddy, Kotla Jayasurya Prakash Reddy, G Jayasuriya, MLCs and others participated in the programme.

Prior to the event, the chief minister visited the temple for darshan of Sri Bhramaramba sametha Mallikarjuna Swamy. Priests welcomed him with Purna Kumbham and escorted him into the shrine by chanting Veda mantras.

Inside the temple, Naidu first visited the Ratnagarbha Ganapati, proceeded to Srisaila Mallikarjuna Swamy and Bhramaramba Ammavaru and participated in the archana. After inspecting the Srisailam project, he offered Jala Harathi to the Krishna river and released a sari into the water as an offering to the river.