Hyderabad: The Sitarama Marellapadu lift irrigation scheme began releasing Godavari water to initially provide irrigation to 4,300 acres in Ashwapuram mandal. Revenue, Housing and Information Minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy said the government had taken up the scheme at an estimated cost of about Rs 610 crore.
The project is located in Ashwapuram mandal of Pinapaka constituency in Bhadradri Kothagudem district. Srinivasa Reddy inaugurated the lift scheme along with Agriculture Minister Thummala Nageswara Rao, MP Balram Naik and MLAs. They switched on the pumps and released water.
Later, Srinivasa Reddy attended a public meeting at Gondigudem. Local MLA Payam Venkateshwarlu presided over the meeting. Srinivasa Reddy said the first phase would carry Godavari water up to Thummala Cheruvu. It would provide irrigation to 4,300 acres.
Subsequently, the Sitarama Marellapadu lift scheme would expand irrigation coverage in phases across Ashwapuram mandal. The project would eventually provide irrigation water to between 22,000 and 23,000 acres, the minister said.
Srinivasa Reddy said the Congress government under Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy had completed 33 months in office. He said the government was continuously working on public welfare and State development while providing the administration sought by people.
The minister said former Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy had laid the foundation stone for these projects. However, Srinivasa Reddy alleged that the previous rulers, who governed Telangana for 10 years after State formation, changed project names and designs.
He further alleged that they had done so for personal benefit and misused crores of rupees in public money. Srinivasa Reddy said the previous government had left the Sitarama project incomplete. In contrast, he said the present government had accelerated the pending works. He said the government would complete the remaining Sitarama project works soon.
Sitarama Marellapadu lift part of irrigation push
Srinivasa Reddy also outlined plans for other pending irrigation projects in Bhadradri Kothagudem district. He said the government would provide funds for the already sanctioned Dommalavagu reservoir works. Moreover, it would invite tenders shortly.
The government would complete the reservoir within the stipulated period and make it operational, he said. According to Srinivasa Reddy, the project would permanently address agriculture-related difficulties in the Burgampadu area.
In addition, he announced that the government would start works on the Rekulagandi project. The minister also referred to the pending Pulusubontha project in the district. He said the land acquisition process for the project was continuing.
Meanwhile, the process of allocating alternative land to the Forest Department was also underway. Srinivasa Reddy described the launch of the Sitarama Marellapadu lift as the fulfilment of a long-standing aspiration of farmers.
MLAs Tellam Venkatrao, Koram Kanakaiah and Jare Adinarayana attended the programme. DCC president Devi Prasanna, the Collector and Sub-Collector were also present. Officials, local elected representatives and Congress leaders participated in the event. A large number of farmers from villages in the region also attended the programme.