The YSR Congress Party on Thursday demanded that the Telugu Desam Party-led coalition government should resume work on the Rayalaseema lift irrigation project on the Krishna river during the previous YS Jagan Mohan Reddy regime and complete the project at any cost.
YSRCP mobilized for lift irrigation projectThe party held a large rally under the banner “Chalo Pothiredipadu” at Pothulapadu village in Nandikotkur, Nandyal district, which was attended by leaders and farmers’ groups from Rayalaseema, Nellore and Prakasam.
Addressing the rally, YSRCP state coordinator Priya Ramakrishna Reddy alleged that the project works were stopped during the current Chandrababu Naidu government, which he said would turn the Rayalaseema region into a desert.
He said the party would launch a big movement, create awareness among people in every village and expose the alleged conspiracies against Rayalaseema. He warned of serious political repercussions for the TDP in the region if the project is stalled.
Puljala called the discontinuation of RLIP a grave injustice to drought-prone Rayalaseema and its farmers, calling it a “sin against Rayalaseema”.
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He questioned why Naidu did not respond to Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy’s comments in the Assembly that he had forced the Andhra Chief Minister to stop RLIP.
Like Telangana, Rayalaseema must tap into Srisailam water at 800 feet level, he said. He reiterated that assured irrigation and drinking water is the bedrock of real development, a vision earlier followed by former chief minister YS Rajasekhar Reddy, and said RLIP was the only permanent solution to the region’s water crisis.
The YSRCP leader said the project, a lifeline for the Rayalaseema region’s irrigation and drinking water needs, was dropped citing environmental clearance despite major progress under the YSRCP. He accused Chandrababu of sacrificing Rayalaseema for political priorities while focusing on Amaravati and real estate interests.
The party will organize farmers, extend mass campaign across the district and hold big meetings starting from Kadapa, said Mjoola. He said that the YSRCP, if it comes back to power in 2029, will complete the RLIP on a war footing if the current government fails.
