AP and Telangana to Benefit from Banakacharla Project: Naidu

Speaking to the media on the second day of his visit to Kuppam, on Thursday, Naidu said the project would not pose any harm to any region and reaffirmed his government’s commitment to equitable water sharing and inclusive development.

Recalling his previous term as Chief Minister of the undivided Andhra Pradesh, Naidu said his government had conceptualised the Devadula lift irrigation project, now in Telangana, after conducting site inspections at Srisailam, SLBC and the Madhav Reddy canal.

He also cited the Pushkara and Tatipudi lift irrigation projects as part of his efforts to improve irrigation infrastructure in Andhra Pradesh by optimising water usage.

Taking a dig at the Yellampalli project announced during the term of Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, Naidu said it failed to materialise and was marred by irregularities. He called for constructive cooperation between Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, saying that both states could benefit by utilising just a fraction of the 2,000tmc of the Godavari river water that now flows into the sea.

“Even tapping 200tmc of this water can transform the agricultural sector of both states. I have never opposed, nor will I oppose, any project that benefits Telugu people,” he said.

The Chief Minister hit out at his political opponents for their criticism of his welfare initiatives. He cited the example of the P4 model where an NRI family, who were beneficiaries of his earlier schemes, returned to support the disadvantaged people in Thimmarajupalli village. “This is the kind of chain reaction we aim to build. But some can’t digest our success,” he felt.

Naidu said a large sum of Rs.34,000 crore was being spent annually towards distribution of pensions to 64 lakh beneficiaries now.

On complaints of tampering of land records, he said the newly introduced blockchain technology would ensure transparency. “AP once had one of the best land management systems, but this was dismantled. We are bringing it back,” he said.