HYDERABAD: Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy has said that the Government was confident that its ambitious programme of linking the Godavari with Krishna river through the Polavaram project would pave the way for more such projects.

He made the observation while participating in a `face-to-face' programme organised by Doordarshan's Sapthagiri channel on Tuesday. The 60-minute interactive session saw farmers and professionals from different vocations quizzing Dr. Reddy on several State issues.

Regional disparities

Answering a question by former MLA N. Sivarami Reddy on regional disparities in taking up of irrigation projects and allocation of water, he said the idea of interlinking of rivers was mooted to tackle the problem.

After the Polavaram project was completed, there was ample scope to link the rivers. At least 80 tmcft could be utilised, he said, adding the Government was also studying how to tap 150 tmcft water by diverting Godavari water to Nagarajunasagar.

Replying to another query by former engineer C. Veeraiah, he said the Government was confident of raising funds to complete the irrigation projects in fixed timeframe. In 2006-07 more than Rs. 15,000 crores would be spent.

Clarifying doubts of a farmer, Ramakrishna Reddy of Mahabubnagar, Dr. Reddy stated that close to Rs. 2,000 crores was being spent on the Kalwakurthy, Bhima, Nettampadu and Koilsagar projects. He said the State had registered a growth rate of 65 per cent in the Information Technology sector.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail