AICC vice-president Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday assured a delegation from Tundurru in West Godavari district that the issue of the proposed aqua food park project would be raised in the ensuing session of Parliament. Mr. Gandhi also promised to use his good offices in ensuring the “pollutant venture” was shelved.
A six-member delegation from Tundurru, Kamsali Bethapudi and Jonnala Garuvu called on Mr. Gandhi in New Delhi following his invitation and explained in detail the features of the proposed aqua food park and its possible implications, including environmental pollution, groundwater contamination and shortage of irrigation for agriculture in the surrounding villages.
After giving a patient hearing, Mr. Gandhi told the members of the delegation that he too was opposing the project.
“Mr. Gandhi told us that the Congress is not against the setting up of food parks, but is opposing the one in Tundurru as it affects over one lakh population spread over 40 villages,” Javvadi Satyanarayana of Tundurru told The Hindu over telephone.
He said Mr. Gandhi felt that the project could be relocated to the vacant land near the seashore so that the impact could be minimised.
“We have invited Mr. Gandhi to tour our villages so that he would get first- hand information about the project and the opposition from the public to it. Mr. Gandhi said he would look into the matter,” Mr. Satyanarayana said.
Accompanied by APCC president N. Raghuveera Reddy, the delegation first called on senior Congress leaders Digvijaya Singh, J.D. Seelam and K.V.P. Ramachandra Rao separately and explained them about the food park project.
“We have received calls from the offices of Minister Pitani Satyanarayana and actor Pawan Kalyan this evening. We have told them that we are in New Delhi and will meet them on a later date. We are ready to take the support from any quarter to ensure that the project is shelved,” said Mr. Satyanarayana.
