Vijayawada: Finance minister Payyavula Keshav emphasised that the Polavaram project is not limited to one district but is a blessing for Rayalaseema, North Andhra, and farmers across the state. Speaking to the media on Saturday, Keshav reiterated that Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu had assured that the government would stand by families displaced due to the project.
Keshav explained, "Polavaram is not just a project for one district; it is a boon for Rayalaseema, North Andhra, and the farmers across the state. Before the Pattiseema project, water disputes were common in Rayalaseema. When the Tungabhadra High-Level Canal received insufficient water, farmers in Anantapur would protest, demanding two TMC of water from Kurnool, which led to tensions. After Pattiseema’s completion, protests reduced significantly, and discussions about droughts became rare in the Legislative Assembly. A small project has brought significant changes to Rayalaseema."
The finance minister also highlighted the focus on completing the Polavaram project to bring water to crucial areas like Banakacharla, which will supply irrigation to regions including Kurnool, Nandyal, Kadapa, Chittoor, and Anantapur. He added, "We are prioritising Polavaram’s completion and planning a river interlinking project for Banakacharla."
Keshav criticised the opposition, asking, "Who stopped the work on Polavaram for the last five years? Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy should answer that. We are aware of our promises and don't need anyone to remind us. Since we took charge, we revived 74 central schemes that had been stalled by the previous regime. If our state is facing a financial crisis, Y.S. Jagan is responsible for it. We are ensuring that farmers receive payments within 48 hours of delivering their produce and have kept rice procurement centres open."
