The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Minister promises fair deal to Pulichintala-affected

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Sunday, Oct 24, 2004

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Minister promises fair deal to Pulichintala-affected

By Our Staff Reporter

WARANGAL, OCT. 23. The Major Irrigation Minister, Ponnala Lakshmaiah, has said only 12 villages will be affected in Nalgonda and Guntur districts due to the Pulichintala project.

He has said a compensation and rehabilitation package has already been worked out for the displaced. "There should be no misconceptions. People should not get diverted by what individuals and political leaders say," he told The Hindu on Saturday.

The Minister reiterated that the State Government would go ahead with the project at the present site, as the site had been selected purely on technical advice given by experts.

Limestone reserves

On the argument that the site contained rich limestone reserves, he said only 483 acres of land containing limestone would get affected. But, by the time the project would be completed in 2009, the lease on the 400 acres would be complete and reserves exhausted. Efforts would be made to extract limestone reserves in 83 acres, which were not leased out.

The project was found feasible at the present site as it envisaged construction of anicut for a stretch of only 1,200 metres, as against the alternative site down the Krishna where it required to be extended to three km. Moreover, the soil for the foundation was found strong at the present site.

Warns TRS

Taking exception to the remarks being by the leaders of various political parties, including the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS), the Minister advised them not to instigate people. "Nowhere in the world a project can be taken up without addressing problems like submergence and rehabilitation. Problems are bound to be there and it is the duty of the Government to look into them," he said.

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