Chief Minister inaugurates works for installing 117 new gates at Dowleswaram barrage
- Coalition government initiate measures to provide permanent protection to Godavari delta:CM
- Chief Minister assures complete justice for Polavaram project-displaced families
Kothapeta/Atreyapuram:
Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said the NDA coalition government has initiated measures to provide permanent protection to Godavari Delta. As part of these efforts, the government has launched the replacement of gates at the historic Sir Arthur Cotton barrage.The Chief Minister inaugurated the works for installing 117 new gates at the Dowleswaram Barrage at an estimated cost of Rs. 152.95 crore and unveiled the foundation plaque today. He also inspected the water flow at the barrage and reviewed the progress of the works with irrigation officials. Directing officials to complete the installation by June next year, he said the project should be finished well before the Godavari Pushkaralu.
Officials informed the Chief Minister that about 27,000 cusecs of water is currently flowing into the sea, while 14,700 cusecs are being released through the canal system. The Chief Minister instructed officials and public representatives to ensure continuous monitoring so that irrigation water reaches the tail-end ayacut lands.
Later interacting with farmers at Pichukalanka in Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema district, the Chief Minister recalled that Sir Arthur Cotton’s anicut transformed the Godavari Delta into the “Rice Bowl” of the country. He noted that the new barrage built during the tenure of former Chief Minister N.T. Rama Rao enabled irrigation for an additional crop.The barrage, with a storage capacity of 2.9 TMC and the ability to handle flood flows of 32.2 lakh cusecs, provides irrigation to 10.13 lakh acres across the Eastern, Central and Western Delta regions. However, after more than five decades, the gates, motors and electrical systems have become outdated, making modernization essential, he said.The Chief Minister recalled that the previous TDP government (2014-19) had installed new gates worth Rs. 32 crore. The present government has now initiated replacement of the remaining 117 old gates within nine months.
He criticized the previous government for neglecting even routine maintenance of irrigation projects, stating that no adequate funds were provided even for basic upkeep such as greasing the gates. He also noted that all new gates have already been installed at the Tungabhadra Project. Over the past two years alone, the coalition government has spent Rs. 24,000 crore on the irrigation sector, he added.
The Chief Minister said that while Konaseema farmers once had to declare a crop holiday due to the absence of remunerative prices for paddy, the present government is ensuring fair prices and depositing payments into farmers’ bank accounts within 24 hours of procurement.He reiterated that the coalition government accords the highest priority to farmers’ welfare through the implementation of the Annadatha Sukhibhava scheme.Criticizing the previous government for neglecting the Polavaram Project, he said that 72 percent of the works had been completed during 2014-19, while only two percent progress was achieved over the subsequent five years. After the coalition government assumed office, work has accelerated significantly, with overall progress now reaching 89 percent. He assured that project-displaced families would receive complete justice, with no compromise on rehabilitation or compensation. The government remains committed to dedicating the Polavaram Project to the nation within the scheduled timeline.
The Chief Minister said irrigation projects across the State are being implemented according to the announced calendar. Once Polavaram is completed, the water needs of the Godavari districts will be permanently secured. Through the Pattiseema Lift Irrigation Scheme, Godavari waters have already been diverted to the Krishna Delta and Rayalaseema, transforming agriculture in those regions. Expansion of micro-irrigation has promoted horticulture and ensured water availability for industries, facilitating investments such as the Kia automobile manufacturing unit in Rayalaseema, he added.
The Chief Minister said the people of the Godavari region have always supported development-oriented governance and have consistently extended overwhelming support to the TDP. He described the coalition’s emphatic victory in the 2024 elections as a mandate for development.The government is committed to conducting the Godavari Pushkaralu on a grand scale. Infrastructure worth nearly Rs. 1,200 crore will be developed around Rajamahendravaram and Pushkar ghats. Pichukalanka and Bobbarlanka will be developed as tourist destinations, efforts will be made to bring a railway line to Konaseema and a Cocoa City will be established at Kovvur, he announced.
In view of changing climatic conditions and the impact of El Niño leading to reduced rainfall, farmers should adopt scientific crop planning, he advised.
The Chief Minister said rebuilding Andhra Pradesh is the coalition government’s foremost objective and that every promise made to the people, together with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, is being fulfilled.He announced that funds under the Talliki Vandanam scheme would be credited this month, while social security pensions and farmers’ welfare programmes continue without interruption.
Referring to Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan’s recent surgery, the Chief Minister said that despite his eagerness to return to public service, he had personally advised him during his visit to Mumbai to resume work only after complete recovery.The Chief Minister reiterated that the government would adopt a zero-tolerance approach towards ganja, drugs and rowdyism. He said the government is taking serious note of abusive remarks against women, character assassination and misuse of social media.
Ministers Nimmala Rama Naidu, Kandula Durgesh, Ponguru Narayana, Vasamsetti Subash, MP Ganti Harish participated.
