Nellore: The government was going to take a tough stand on those encroaching water bodies, said Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu when the issue was highlighted at a workshop on Neeru-Chettu at Singarayakonda in Prakasam district. Mr Naidu instructed the collector to take steps to remove the encroachments on a war-footing, including those on local tanks.
The CM dwelt at length on the need to conserve water, pointing to dwindling groundwater reserves. He said that water would be released through the two tunnels of the Veligonda project, which would also irrigate over 1.50 lakh acres. He, however, criticised the YSR Congress and Congress leaders for causing impediments to his developmental programmes.
When the Godavari waters were flowing towards the sea, he had proposed the Pattiseema project and diverted its waters to Rayalaseema and ensured irrigation facilities, but Jagan was politicising the issue indirectly. He suggested the construction of check dams on seven rivers that were flowing in Prakasam district and to ensure groundwater levels.
Mr Naidu later inspected the Panta Sanjeevini programme and interacted with farmers. He also inaugurated the APWS residential school and spoke to the students. He had earlier inspected the tunnel work during his visit to the Veligonda project office in Markapuram division. Kondepi legislator Bala Veeranjaneya Swamy presided over the programme.
