Reiterating that the State government had taken up redesigning of irrigation projects only so that there could be optimum utilisation of surplus Godavari water, Minister for Finance and Civil Supplies Etala Rajender said that the Kaleshwaram lift irrigation project at Medigadda in Mahadevpur mandal was designed to become an irrigation source to 18.20 lakh acres in Karimnagar, Warangal, Nizamabad, Adilabad, Medak, Nalgonda, and Ranga Reddy districts.
Participating in the Independence Day celebrations by hoisting the national flag at Police Parade grounds in Karimnagar town on Monday, Mr. Rajender said that the Kaleshwaram project would provide irrigation sources to 2 lakh acres in Karimnagar district. The government would be providing the best compensation to the land oustees of the project, and assured them of all support.
As part of the project, barrages would be constructed across river Godavari at Medigadda, Annaram, and Sundilla in Karimnagar district, and waters from the project would be lifted to Sripada Yellampalli project (SYP) and to Mid-Manair dam (MMD). From these projects, the water would be lifted to Mallannasagar in Medak district and also provide water to Hyderabad city.
With regards to the ongoing Haritha Haram programme, the Minister said Karimnagar district was progressing to emerge as the number one district in the State with the plantation of 4.5 crore saplings this year, adding that they have so far planted 3.7 crore saplings. Mission Kakatiya was yielding good results with the minor tanks receiving steady inflows following rains, and hoped that it would transform the villages on the agricultural front.
Thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi for laying the foundation stone for the revival of Fertilizer Corporation of India (FCI) as Ramagundam Fertilizers and Chemicals Limited (RFCL) at a cost of Rs. 6,000 crore, he said that the RFCL would solve the fertiliser problem in Telangana, as the plant would produce 13 lakh metric tonnes of fertilisers per annum.
The Minister hoped that the 2x800 MW (1600 MW) first phase of Telangana State thermal power project taken up by NTPC Ramagundam would generate power by the end of 2018.
Earlier, he reviewed the impressive parade conducted by the district police. Later, he felicitated freedom fighters. The students of various educational institutes presented a cultural programme. Karimnagar MP B. Vinod Kumar, ZP chairperson Tula Uma, and Collector Neetu Prasad were also present.
