Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan described Kaleshwaram multipurpose project, claimed to be the biggest project of its kind in the country, as “amazing and unprecedented”. “I dedicate this project to the people of Telangana,” he said at the end of his maiden visit to the project sites on Saturday.
Accompanied by his wife Vimala Narasimhan, and the State Irrigation Minister T. Harish Rao, the Governor visited different sites along the river Godavari where the ₹ 80,500 crore project is being executed. The Governor later explained that the flagship project of Telangana government would not only irrigate the parched lands of the State, but also provide drinking water and livelihood to lakhs of people.
In this context, he recalled that a couple of years ago when Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao had made a two-hour powerpoint presentation about the project to him at Raj Bhavan, he “thought whether he is Kalvakuntla or kalala (dreams) Chandrasekhar Rao. Now, after seeing the project, I want to call him Kaleshwaram Chandrasekhar Rao.” The Governor also said that hereafter he would call Mr. Harish Rao as Kaleshwar Rao.
“Mr. Harish Rao had put his heart and soul into Kaleshwaram and his name would remain forever in history as ‘Kaleshwara Rao’,” the Governor said, speaking to mediapersons at Laxmipur in Ramadugu mandal. “This is a great project and by God’s grace, I hope that the Phase I of this will be completed in six months,” he added, appreciating all those involved in the execution of the works.
During the day-long tour, the Governor enquired about the various components of the project and the way they were executed. He visited Kaleshwaram, Annaram, |Sayampet and |Laxmipur pump houses and barrages beside having an aerial view of the Medigadda and Sundilla barrages and Mid-Manair project. Defying his age, the Governor climbed the top of the pump house being built and also got down to the depths of the underground tunnel.
At every place he visited, the Governor made it a point to interact with workers engaged in the project. He enquired about their food, accommodation, salary payment and general well being.
“I spoke to a worker who hails from Jharkhand. He said that he is being provided rotis which he likes to eat and not rice. He has been provided with an accommodation and his salary is being deposited directly in a bank. His medical needs are also being taken care of and he is comfortable. That is what matters,” Mr. Narasimhan told The Hindu .
