The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : MP-elect vows to develop Cuddapah

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, May 18, 2004

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

MP-elect vows to develop Cuddapah

By Our Staff Reporter

CUDDAPAH, MAY 17. The Cuddapah MP-elect, Y.S. Vivekananda Reddy, asserted on Monday that the Chitravathi Balancing Reservoir, the lifeline of the Pulivendula constituency, envisaged with a Full Reservoir Level (FRL) of 10 tmc, will be completed by November 2005 and the Government was keen on allocating the requisite funds.

Speaking to mediapersons here, Mr. Vivekananda Reddy said the Government instructed the Irrigation Secretary and the Engineer-in-Chief to expedite works on Chitravathi project and complete it within the stipulated timeframe.

He urged Irrigation Department officials to erect the gates of the Chitravathi Balancing Reservoir in the Pulivendula constituency to enable the project to impound 2.5 tmc by November this year, as scheduled.

The design of the project gates was approved and tenders would be called soon to erect them. The contractor who was awarded CBR works was given a second extension up to November this year, but works had progressed at a slow pace so far because of paucity of funds.

The completion of the balancing reservoir was also vital for bringing the Pulivendula Branch Canal (PBC) on stream. PBC lining works were mooted under Tungabhadra High-Level Canal modernisation works, he stated.

Mr. Reddy, brother of the Chief Minister, Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, promised to provide drinking water to 177 villages in the Pulivendula constituency in this financial year. The Protected Water Scheme proposed to cover 177 villages was confined to 134 villages depending on the feasibility report given by officials concerned.

However, the remaining 43 villages were sought to be provided drinking water supply from the Papaghni river through a pumping scheme, he said.

He said construction of six balancing reservoirs of one tmc capacity each would be contemplated under the KC Canal.

The KC Canal ayacut of one lakh acres in the district would be stabilised by seeking suggestions from the Cuddapah, Proddatur and Mydukur MLAs. The YSR Government would accord priority to augmentation of irrigation and drinking water facilities and housing for the poor, the MP-elect said.

Permanent and long-term measures would be taken to resolve the problems of the district.

He assured steps to revive the Cuddapah Cooperative Sugars Ltd. and the Proddatur Milk Foods factory, to safeguard the interests of farmers as well as employees.

Cuddapah district was rich in mineral wealth and entrepreneurs coming forward to set up mineral-based industries and barium chemical units would be encouraged by providing concessions and necessary facilities, as it could generate employment, Mr. Vivekananda Reddy said.

He said a special officer might be appointed for Cuddapah district and for Pulivendula to ensure all-round development.

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