Hyderabad: Transport and BC Welfare Minister Ponnam Prabhakar on Monday said the government had sanctioned Rs.250 crore to accelerate Gouravelli project land acquisition. He said completing the project and providing irrigation benefits across the Husnabad constituency remained his main objective.
Ponnam said the land acquisition process had gathered pace. Collectors of three districts were giving special attention to completing the process quickly, he added. The Minister said the government would compensate eligible farmers immediately after acquiring their land.
He also appealed to farmers to cooperate with authorities in acquiring land required for canal construction. Ponnam reviewed the Gouravelli project land acquisition during his visit to Kondapur in Chigurumamidi mandal.
He participated in the ‘Palle Palleku Ponnam Anna–Palle Pallelo Praja Palana’ programme in the village. During the programme, the Minister reviewed village development, implementation of welfare schemes and problems raised by residents.
He said the government had allocated Rs.250 crore specifically for the land acquisition process. Ponnam added that the three district Collectors were focusing on removing delays and speeding up acquisition.
He assured farmers that officials would take steps to release compensation promptly after completing the required acquisition. The Minister also sought farmers’ cooperation for canal works linked to the project.
He said completing the irrigation project would help make the Husnabad constituency agriculturally prosperous.
Farmers urged to diversify crops
Ponnam also advised farmers against depending on a single crop. He encouraged them to consider irrigated dry crops and other alternatives based on local conditions. The Minister particularly asked farmers to explore oil palm cultivation.
He said oil palm could offer opportunities for higher returns and urged farmers to give the crop greater attention. Ponnam also stressed the need to conserve rainwater and improve groundwater recharge.
He advised every household to construct a soak or recharge pit to capture rainwater. According to him, such measures would help channel rainfall into groundwater instead of allowing it to drain away.
Indiramma house documents distributed
During the Kondapur programme, Ponnam handed over Indiramma housing sanction documents to five people living in huts. He also inaugurated a newly constructed Indiramma house belonging to Gudala Bhagya.
In addition, the Minister laid the foundation stone for a women’s group building. The government would construct the building at a cost of Rs.20 lakh. Ponnam received petitions from residents during the programme.
He directed officials to examine the grievances and resolve public problems quickly. The Minister also reviewed the implementation of welfare programmes and development works in the village.
Husnabad hospital works reviewed
Earlier, Ponnam inspected construction of the 250-bed government hospital in Husnabad town. He sought details from officials about the progress of the project. The Minister directed engineers to give special attention to construction quality and prescribed standards.
He also asked officials to complete the hospital within the stipulated deadline. Ponnam said authorities should prevent delays and continuously monitor the construction. He directed them to make the hospital available to the public as soon as they completed the project.
The Minister said the 250-bed facility would bring modern healthcare services closer to people across the Husnabad constituency. Ponnam said officials should maintain momentum in both infrastructure and welfare programmes.
He reiterated that completing Gouravelli project land acquisition remained critical for moving the irrigation works forward. The Minister also stressed timely compensation for eligible farmers who surrendered land for the project.
Meanwhile, he asked officials overseeing the Husnabad hospital to maintain construction quality while meeting the project deadline. RDO Sharmila and DPO Jagadishwar participated in the programmes.
Market Committee Chairman Kandi Tirupati Reddy and Sarpanch Marka Rajkumar also attended. Tahsildar Kanakaiah, MPDO Ramamohanachari, other officials, public representatives, village elders and residents were also present.
Ponnam reiterated that completing the Gouravelli project and expanding irrigation remained a priority for Husnabad.