Pranahita-Chevalla project set to be altered

He was addressing reporters here on Tuesday. He convened a review meeting with officials concerned over Water Grid. Mr Chandrasekhar Rao said that 14 tmc of water could be stored in Pranahita-Chevella irrigation project due to its flawed designing. A total of 200 tmc of water can be stored once it is re-engineered. In order to erect various irrigation projects in an effective manner, a new irrigation policy would be announced soon, he asserted.

“A sophisticated survey would be carried out across Godavari river basin from Kand-akurthi (SRSP) of Nizamabad to Bhadr-achalam in Khamma to study feasibility for erecting new irrigation projects. The Centre gave its nod to conduct the survey. Machinery used for the survey was already supplied to officials concerned. Union defence department permitted the state to use helicopters for studying basin of the river,” the Chief Minister explained.

Mr Rao said that reports of the survey would be used for erecting new projects and to redesign under-construction ones in order to cover up losses incurred due to faulty construction of Devadula Lift irrigation project. Godavari and Indravati rivers would be tapped effectively for providing irrigation and drinking needs, he added.

Further, the TRS supremo said that the state introduced many ambitious program-mes namely Mission Kakatiya, Aasara pensions, Harita Haram, Kalyana Laxmi, Grama Jyothi and Water Grid in order to uplift of state caused to remain backward due to indifferent attitude of Chief Ministers from Andhra region. He urged public not to believe in falsehood being spread by Opposition parties.