Cong Padayatra to Polavaram begins today

Vijayawada: Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) Chief N Raghuveera Reddy has said that the Polavaram Project should be completed with the Central Government funds and adequate compensation should be given to the displaced families.

The PCC chief visited the Durga temple on Saturday and performed special pujas to Goddess Kanaka Durga in view of the launching of Padayatra by the Congress party from January 7 to 10 from Dowleswaram to Polavaram project. Congress leaders Dr N Tulasi Reddy, Vijayawada City Congress Committee president Akula Srinivas, PCC official spokesperson K Sivaji and other leaders attended on the occasion. Raghuveera Reddy broke 101 coconuts near Galigopuram praying the Goddess for the completion of construction of Polavaram project by 2018.

Later, briefing to media, Raghuveera Reddy has said Polavaram project is very important for the five crore Telugu people. He said the Congress leaders, under his leadership, would take up 45 km padayatra from Dowleswaram to Polavaram from January 7 to 10 and observed Satyagraha at Polavaram site on the last Day. He alleged the TDP and BJP were involved in the blame game and delaying the construction of the Polavaram project. He said the project cost shot up from Rs.18,000 crore to Rs.58,000 due to delay of the works.

He reminded that during the Congress rule, the Right and Left canal works were completed; but the present TDP Government has failed to get progress on construction of the project. He felt the project could have been completed if the Congress party has been in power.

Meanwhile, Raghuveer Reddy demanded that a probe should conducted with the High Court sitting judge into allegations regarding Durga temple. He said during the previous TDP rule, the crown of the Goddess Kanaka Durga was stolen.