Drones to keep hawk eye on Kaleshwaram

Hyderabad: In the wake of increased Maoists’ threat from the neighbouring Chhattisgarh state, Telangana state government has decided to use drones to watch out for any trouble either from the ultras or from any other quarter to ensure construction of Kaleshwaram project without any hitch, since the site is at a place in Karimnagar district, not very far from Maoist-infested Gadchiroli in Maharashtra.

Only on Wednesday, seven Maoists were killed in an "encounter" with the police in the sensitive district in Maharashtra. The issue of the safety of workers and works of Kaleswaram was discussed in detail at the meeting held between Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao and State DGP M Mahendar Reddy during their visit to the project site in the district on Thursday.

The government has already deployed CISF forces at the project sites located in sensitive areas. The DGP told KCR security forces will use drones to supervise construction works and security measures. The use of drones will also help to reduce burden on security forces to maintain a vigil on the projects, he added.

The Chief Minister also instructed the officials concerned and contract agencies to work in three shifts for the completion of barrages, sub-stations, pump houses and canal works on war-footing at Kaleshwaram project. The Chief Minister, accompanied by Irrigation Minister T Harish Rao and others, visited Medigadda barrage, Kannepally pump house, Annaram barrage and Siripuram barrage taken up under Kaleshwaram project.

He said the aim and target of the government is to complete all the irrigation projects meant for providing water to the agriculture sector at the earliest. During visit to Toopakula Gudem project, officials informed the CM that 1,132 metres of cofferdam works were completed and the remaining 150 metres will be completed soon. He also enquired floodwater flow in the Godavari river at the project. The CM wanted the roads needed for the projects should be completed on fast track.