Work on the proposed Kondapochamma reservoir had to face another hurdle on Monday, with villagers of Bahilampur stalling the works . Their contention is that they are facing severe dust problem due to the construction of a bund around the village.
They are protesting under a tent, while preparing and eating food there itself.
“I had three acres of land, which I sold to the government after we had a meeting with Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao at his farm house.
We were assured that the project work would commence only after new houses are constructed and we are shifted there.
But nothing happened as promised by the Chief Minister. Where is the escape for us from the thick clouds of dust ?” asked B. Raju, a farmer who had participated in the agitation.
“We are not averse to vacating the village and relocating provided double bed-room houses are handed over to us. Every morning one can witness layers of dust settling on the top of our houses. We do not know what to do now,” commented Bayyannagari Nanda Reddy, another villager.
“Some of the elderly and children are facing respiratory problems due to the dust and a few of them have even visited hospitals. Though Collector P. Venkataram Reddy promised that Mr. Chandrasekhar Rao or Irrigation Minister T. Harish Rao would lay foundation stone for the construction of double bed-room houses for the oustees soon after Pongal nothing is moving forward even after a month. How can we trust the government?” asked Mallampally Swamy, another farmer .
Meanwhile, police and revenue officials visited Bahilapur and promised to address the problem being faced by the villagers.
