Kurnool: Minister to inspect Seema projects’ progress twice a month

Kurnool: Water resources minister Nimmala Ramanaidu accused the erstwhile YSR Congress regime of depriving Rayalaseema of at least 20 TMC of water during its rule. He assured that the TD-led NDA alliance government will fully utilise the allocated water of Handri Neeva project for Rayalaseema.

Speaking at the Jalaharati programme after inspecting the Malyala irrigation scheme in Nandikotkur mandal of Nandyal on Sunday, Ramanaidu maintained that Rayalaseema will be transformed into Ratanala Seema by fully irrigating the stabilised anicut using water from the Handri-Neeva main canal. The water resources minister assured the assembled people that that he will visit Rayalaseema twice a month and ensure speedy completion of all the projects started in the region.

He underlined that it is the TDP government that built the largest and longest Handri-Neeva lift irrigation scheme in Asia. Of that, Malyala lift scheme has been constructed to lift 3,850 cusecs of water. He blamed the previous government for lagging behind in completing the works of Handri-Neeva project, which has the capacity of supplying 40 TMC of water. Of this, at least 20 TMC could not be provided to Rayalaseema because of the YSRC regime’s laxity.

Ramanaidu said the mistakes of the previous government will be rectified and Handri-Neeva will be put to full use in Rayalaseema. He pointed out that while the previous government allocated only two per cent of the budget for irrigation, TD government has spent more than ₹4,000 crore on Handri-Neeva, completing 90 per cent of the works.

The minister criticised the YSRC regime for not completing the remaining 10 per cent of the Handri-Neeva project elements. Nandikotkur MLA Gitta Jayasurya and Pathikonda legislator K.E. Shyam Babu were among those present.