Marri Shashidhar Reddy, chairman, Forum for Utilisation of Godavari Waters, said that construction of Mallannasagar reservoir is not necessary and that he will stop its construction at any cost. He said that there is an alternate method to irrigate large chunk of land through lift irrigation scheme and all the 14 villages can be saved from submergence. He dared the government to come to an open discussion with experts on whether the reservoir was required at all.
Mr. Reddy along with a team of experts visited Erravalli, Pallepahad and Vemulaghat on Saturday. “There is a live example of Jawaharlal Nehru Lift Irrigation scheme in Haryana pumping water from Yamuna river. For the past four decades it has been running successfully. Why can’t we replicate the same model here?” he asked.
He urged the protesters to fight against construction of the reservoir, instead of seeking compensation.
Environmental expert Prof. Purushotham Reddy said that there is no reservoir on lift irrigation schemes anywhere in India. “We have stopped nuclear project in Nalgonda in the past. Stopping Mallannasagar is not a big issue at all,” he said. Meanwhile, Aare Ballavva, in her late 50s, came to the meeting with a pesticide bottle. When she tried to open and consume it, Mr. Reddy and others stopped her. She alleged that her son is threatening to kill her if she does not accept to sell the land.
“Recently, a flexi board of TRS leader Chitti Devender Reddy was erected in the village. We tore it down as he has been trying to lure some land owners to sell lands under GO 123, which we are opposing tooth and nail. In addition to filing of a complaint with the police over the issue, some leaders influenced my son, who threatened to kill me if I did not fall in line stating that he would get double bed room house and money for land. What should I do now except committing suicide,” said Balavva.
