The Andhra Pradesh Assembly unanimously passed a resolution requesting the Centre to enact a legislation replacing the ordinance on the Polavaram project by including the seven mandals of Khammam district, which are threatened by submergence.
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, who moved the resolution, urged the Centre to recognise Polavaram as a national project and go ahead with its construction. The national status to the project should be given in the coming Parliament session. Mr. Naidu asked the Telangana government not to make an issue of it as the multi-purpose project would benefit Telangana State too. While meeting the irrigation needs, the project would also provide drinking water to five to six districts. If more power was generated, it could be shared with Telangana. “No injustice will be done to Telangana State,” he assured.
He said the 571 villages of Bhadrachalam revenue division were part of Andhra Pradesh till 1959 and later merged with Khammam district for administrative purpose.
The Munagala area of Nalgonda district comprising 23 villages were also part of Andhra Pradesh once, he said.
The Chief Minister ruled out change in design of the project and said it would be implemented as per the design given by the Central Water Commission.
Leader of the Opposition, Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy, also supported the resolution and said the Polavaram project was needed for the State.
