KCR lays foundation for Kaleshwaram Project

Hyderabad, May 2 (INN): Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao laid the foundation stone for Kaleshwaram Project near Medigadda in Karimnagar district on Monday.

Addressing a press conference later, the Chief Minister said that the Telangana Government would ensure utilisation of 1300 TMC of water from Krishna and Godavari Rivers to irrigation about one crore acres of land in the State. He completely dismissed the criticism by the opposition parties on State Government's irrigation policy. He said 1300 TMC water was allocated for Telangana region in the erstwhile united Andhra Pradesh. However, he alleged that no steps were taken to utiilise the allocated water.

The Chief Minister said that the Congress party has no clear stand on irrigation projects. He said there was no unanimity in views among the Congress leaders of Telangana and Maharashtra. He said although the Congress calls itself a national party, it lacks clarity o the issue. He said Congress leaders of all State differ on all issues. He said Congress leaders of Andhra Pradesh were opposing the projects being constructed in Telangana State. He said despite criticism and objections, the State Government would ensure completion of all irrigation projects in a time-bound manner.

Without naming YSRCP, the Chief Minister said another political party was resorting to cheap politics over Telangana's irrigation projects. However, he said he would not bow to the pressure by any party and would complete the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project within two years.

KCR said the completion of Kaleshwaram project would benefit Yellampally, Mid-Maniar, Medak and even Hyderabad. He said that the construction of pump house would benefit North Telangana. He said that the construction of pump house would be completed in 16 months.

The Chief Minister said construction of a reservoir in Patipaka would ensure two crops in a year in Karimnagar district. He said except for Medigadda, Godavari River water was not available at any other location due to construction of several barrages by Maharashtra Government. He said a detailed agreement would be signed with the Maharashtra Government on utilisation of Godavari water.

The Chief Minister announced that Kaleshwaram would be developed a tourist hub. He also announced Rs. 25 crore for the development of Kaleshwaram Temple.

The foundation stone laying ceremony was also attended by Speaker S. Madhusudan Chary, Deputy Speaker Padma Devender Reddy, Deputy CM Kadiyam Srihari, Ministers Eatala Rajender, T. Harish Rao and A. Indrakaran Reddy, Government Cheif Whip Koppula Eshwar, Rajya Sabha MP K. Keshava Rao, legislators and other senior officials.