Khammam: Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy announced that the Enkoor Link Canal construction is progressing rapidly. On Friday, he visited the site where the canal is being built as part of the Sitarama Lift Irrigation Project in Enkoor.
During his visit, Minister Reddy explained that the previous Congress government had initiated the Indira Rajiv Sagar project. This project, which was to cover 3.75 lakh acres, was originally planned to cost Rs 2,400 crores in the erstwhile Andhra Pradesh.
After the state’s bifurcation, the new government renamed it the Sitarama Project and increased the budget to Rs 18,000 crores, while reducing the coverage to 2.75 lakh acres.
Minister Reddy pointed out that the BRS government had spent Rs 8,000 crores on redesigning the project. He criticized the previous administration for not executing the work properly and wasting public funds.
However, Ponguleti assured that the current government is committed to fixing past mistakes. They aim to provide more coverage at a lower cost, benefiting farmers.
To achieve this, an 8.7 km link canal is being built. This canal will help stabilize minor irrigation tanks in 15 mandals of the state, along with covering 1.35 lakh acres of NSP old Ayakattu, Vaira, and Lankasagar medium projects.
The Minister promised that the work would be completed soon and ready for inauguration by the Chief Minister. He mentioned that obstacles like gas line shifting have been resolved, and efforts are underway to supply irrigation water to 1.75 lakh acres in the first phase.
Discussing the new Revenue Law, Ponguleti said it would be unique in the country. The draft will be open for public feedback from August 2 to August 23. He assured that the government would consider suggestions and amendments from people and farmers.
State Irrigation Development Corporation Chairman Muvva Vijay Babu, Irrigation CE Srinivas, RDO Rajender, and other officials were also present at the event.
