Costa Pranta Abhivriddhi Karyacharana Committee founder president Kokkiligadda Kodandaramaiah on Saturday said successive governments had developed Telangana region at the cost of costal region and Bandar port.
Mr. Kodandaramaiah said that the governments were forced to develop Hyderabad and its surrounding areas as capital was shifted from Kurnool to Hyderabad. The first victim was the historic Bandar port and then costal region. Machilipatnam was headquarters of Andhra Bank when it was established with the active role of Bhogaraju Pattabhi Sitaramaiah. The Andhra Bank headquarters were, however, later, shifted to Hyderabad.
The LIC Zonal Office was also shifted from Machilipatnam to Hyderabad, he said.
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Synthetic Drug Factory was supposed to be constructed at Karaagraharam near Machilipatnam in 1958. A team of Russian experts had also suggested that Karaagraharam was a suitable place.
However, the company was constructed in Hyderabad. “Is it not true that the Bharat Heavy Electricals that was established in 1960-61 in Nellore was also shifted to Ramachandrapuram near Hyderabad?” he asked.
The fifth casualty was the Air Force Academy. Defence experts had suggested that Pedapatnam coastal line was suitable for the academy.
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The Defence personnel used to practise bombing in this area as part of their training during World War II. The academy was finally constructed at Dundigal near Secunderabad. These companies etc had helped Telangana region grow industrially. It was unfortunate that the graduates and artisans from costal region migrated to Hyderabad in search of jobs, he said.
It was decided to provide Under Ground Drainage (UGD) facilities in Bandar in Composite Madras state. But, after formation of Andhra Pradesh, the proposal was reworked and UGD facility was provided in Hyderabad. The leaders were responsible for these injustices, he said, adding that at least now necessary action should be taken to develop Bandar and coastal region.