Ministers Call for Faster Development, Water Conservation
Ministers directed officials to fast-track development works in Prakasam and Markapuram districts, conserve water amid possible El Niño conditions, and expedite the Veligonda Project during the Joint DRC meeting in Ongole.
Endowments minister and Prakasam-Markapuram district in-charge Anam Ramanarayana Reddy on Wednesday directed officials to work in coordination to accelerate the integrated development of Prakasam and Markapuram districts.
Addressing the Joint District Review Committee (DRC) meeting in Ongole, the minister asked officials to prepare for possible El Niño conditions by ensuring adequate drinking and irrigation water. He warned of strict action against those releasing tank water indiscriminately for fishing, saying panchayat secretaries would be held accountable.
Anam also stressed the need for speedy implementation of the Veligonda Project, promotion of horticulture and commercial crops in Markapuram, and closer coordination between Forest department officials and the state administration.
The meeting was attended by power minister Gottipati Ravi Kumar, social welfare minister Dr Dola Sree Bala Veeranjaneya Swamy, MP Magunta Srinivasulu Reddy, Prakasam Collector P. Rajababu, Markapuram Collector M. Vijaya Suneetha, SP V. Harshavardhan Raju, MLAs and senior officials. They reviewed issues relating to forests, drinking water, irrigation, roads, Panchayat Raj and agriculture.
Ravi Kumar called for measures to prevent wastage of tank water, ensure proper restoration of roads after pipeline works, improve drainage along national highways and strengthen highway patrols to reduce accidents.
Public representatives raised issues relating to pending bills, forest land disputes, drinking water supply, road safety, infrastructure and compensation under the Veligonda Project.
SP V. Harshavardhan Raju said crimes against women in the undivided Prakasam district had declined by 23 per cent during the first six months of 2026 compared with the corresponding period last year. He said police had intensified anti-drug awareness campaigns, curbed public drinking and installed 220 convex mirrors at accident-prone locations to improve road safety.
Photo caption 15nldc4A: Endowments Minister and Prakasam-Markapuram district in-charge Anam Ramanarayana Reddy addresses the Joint District Review Committee (DRC) meeting in Ongole on Wednesday.
