The visit of Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy to unveil Dr.K.L Rao Sagar Multipurpose Irrigation Project (Pulichintala) on Saturday is not without its share of controversy.
The visit has already generated protests from opposition parties with the TDP leading the protests stating that the Chief Minister has no right to unveil the project when the earth works are yet to be completed. The implementation of Relief & Rehabilitation package has also not been completed, party leaders alleged.
Now facing protests from Telangana protesters, the State Government has shifted the sites of both the helipad and the pylon to the area which falls under Guntur District.
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The helipad had been originally planned at Vajenepalli in Mellacheruvu mandal in Nalgonda district, where the land was found to be suitable.
With the Chief Minister inclined to complete the programme in area which falls under Guntur District, hectic effort was undertaken to clear the land just before 48 hours before the programme. District Collector S. Suresh Kumar who visited the site on Wednesday instructed the Irrigation and the R & B Department to complete the works.
According to the latest schedule, the Chief Minister will touch down at Jadapallithanda in Atchampet mandal on a make-shift helipad and drive down to unveil a pylon on the site. The Roads & Buildings Department and the Irrigation Departments had made a strenuous effort to clear the forest land and make it motorable.
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“We have cleared a tract of forest land measuring 3 k.m, including the helipad and the approach road leading to the pylon with the help of Irrigation Department,” said a R& B official.
TDP opposes visitThe Chief Minister’s visit has already faced a barrage of criticism from opposition parties and was targeted by the Telugu Desam, which has already stated that it would oppose the visit. Unprecedented security arrangements were being made at the project site.