The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Ponnala makes foray into forest

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, May 02, 2005

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Ponnala makes foray into forest

Staff Reporter

Solemn ritual: The Major Irrigation Minister, Ponnala Lakshmaiah, offering `tarpanam' at Surampalem project reservoir in East Godavari district on Sunday. Photo: C.V. Subrahmanyam

RAMPACHODAVARAM (EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT): When all roads led to the R&B guesthouse, the venue of a heated debate on the Pushkaram irrigation project on Sunday, the Major Irrigation Minister, Ponnala Lakshmaiah, headed for the forest accompanied by mediapersons from Rajahmundry and Hyderabad.

The team reached the Bhoopatipalem reservoir site, 63 km from Rajahmundry, amid tight security. The area, near Rampachodavaram, is a hotbed of the CPI (Maoist) and the main entrance to the agency. It is also known as `tapobhoomi' of freedom fighter Alluri Seetarama Raju.

Situated on a hillock overlooking tribal habitations, the Bhoopatipalem reservoir is being constructed on Seetapalli vagu, a tributary to the Godavari. The Chief Minister, Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, laid the foundation for this long-pending project on November 8 last.

42 villages to gain

The project on completion will provide irrigation facility to 23,000 acres in 42 tribal villages and three non-tribal villages.

"The Opposition has along been alleging that the Government has failed to take up any project during last one year. Now, you can see the progress of this (Bhoopatipalem) reservoir," said Mr. Lakshmaiah at the project site.

Total water available in the reservoir is 2 tmcft and the storage level is 0.6 tmcft and this is the first project in the country which irrigates more than 90 per cent tribal area. The Rs. 95-crore project got the Central Water Commission's clearance in August last.

Polavaram canal

On the way, the Minister made a halt near Gokavaram where he inspected Polavaram canal works.

When his attention was drawn to the compensation issue, he said four villages would be submerged and 146 families affected.

Over 200 acres was shown as alternative land in Kothapakalu and Bhupatipalem villages. The district administration reached an agreement with tribals with regard to compensation, he added.

The Minister also visited the Surampalem reservior in Gokavaram mandal. It will be ready by the month-end.

Tight security

The district police made elaborate security arrangements for the Minister's visit. Special police teams were deployed all along the route from Rajahmundry to Bhoopatipalem. The police began combing the area from Saturday morning.

When the Minister was speaking to newsmen at the reservoir site, the SP alerted him that staying at the site for more than half an hour was not safe.

The Minister cut short his briefing and moved along with officials from the area.

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