Project design: clash of interests to the fore

Clash of regional interests between Telangana and coastal Andhra on the Indira Sagar (Polavaram) project is likely to come to the fore during the visit of Chief Minister K. Rosaiah slated for Sunday in West Godavari district.

When Telangana leaders, particularly those from the Congress, are lobbying with the UPA Government for reduction in the height of the dam, the ruling party MP Kavuri Sambasiva Rao on Saturday made a pitch for status quo with regard to the project design.

‘Betrayal'

“It's nothing but betrayal on the part of the Telangana leaders to stall the project, a boon for agriculture and power generation in the State, on one ground or the other,” he said.

It was also not fair on their part to stall the national status for the Indira Sagar project by seeking a similar status for Chevella and Pranahita projects, he added.

The CPI leadership is trying for an appointment with the Chief Minister to present him a memorandum against any change in the project design at the Janagareddygudm rally.

The Andhra Pradesh Rytanga Samakhya, Rytu Karyacharana Samithi and the Polavaram Project Sadhana Samithi led by TDP former Rajya Sabha leader Yarra Narayana Swamy are also preparing ground to petition Mr. Rosaiah seeking not to tinker with the project design.