Dream of Krishna delta becomes reality

• Pulichintala project will irrigate delta from next Kharif
• Farmers holding over 13 lakh acres to be benefited
• Krishna, Guntur, Prakasam and West Godavari districts elated

Vijayawada: Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy on Saturday inaugurated the Pulichintala Project and dedicated it to the nation. The 100-year-old demand of the people of Krishna delta has finally become a reality, though incomplete.

The Chief Minister promised to give water to Krishna delta from the next Karif starting in June 2014. He said that the project would stabilize the irrigation facility for the 13.8 lakh acres in Krishna delta spread over Krishna, Guntur, Prakasam and West Godavari districts.

The long wait of the farmers of this rice bowl region have ended with his government’s initiative and commitment. “What remained a dream for 100 years had become a reality in just eight years, which shows the functioning of the government,” he asserted.

The Chief Minister further claimed that major irrigation and power projects would become a reality only if the State remained united. The water and power sharing would become a major problem in the days to come if the State is divided, he said and added that Telangana would suffer most. Kiran Kumar Reddy said that Telangana region had witnessed the highest development in the state since 1956 with improved irrigation and electricity facilities.

The region would suffer after bifurcation most as it would require electricity to operate its lift irrigation schemes. The water, too, would not be available as Telangana would be the third upper state on Krishna River, he said. Earlier in the day, the Chief Minister inaugurated the project at Pulichintala village in Guntur district.

He reached the Jadapalli Thanda of Achampet mandal in Guntur by helicopter from Gannavaram airport. He reached the project site by road and inspected the progress of works before inaugurating it. He later flew to Vijayawada by helicopter and halted at the State Guest House for lunch.

During his two-hour long stay in the guest house, he interacted with the party leaders and reportedly elicited their views on the Samaikyandhra movement. He rode a bullock cart from the State Guest House to the public meeting venue at the sprawling Swarajya Maidan grounds. The gathering greeted the Chief Minister as he arrived to dedicate the Pulichintala Project to the nation.