The 13-km-long-long padayatra organised by the Congress on Sunday under the leadership of former Irrigation Minister P. Sudarshan Reddy appealing the government not to change the design of the Pranahitha-Chevella project and release the required funds to complete the three packages - 20 to 22, relating to the district, for their early completion, evoked a good response from people.
The padayatra began at the zero point of the project here, was well-received by residents of Binola, Siranpally, Brahmanapally, Jannepally and Pothangal. Party activists and farmers joined the yatra en route.
Holding party flags and raising slogans against the proposed move to redesign the project, the party activists marched with much enthusiasm.
Among those who participated in the padayatra were MLCs Mohammed Ali Shabbir and Akula Lalitha, former Assembly Speaker K.R. Suresh Reddy, former MPs Madhu Goud Yaskhi and Ponnam Prabhakar, former Whip Eravatri Anil, DCC president Taher Bin Hamdan, former president Gadugu Gangadhar, and party leaders N. Ratnakar and A. Raji Reddy.
Flagging off the yatra at the place where the tunnel of package-20 begins, Mr. Sudarshan Reddy alleged that the government deliberately stopped the works. With an additional Rs.1,000 crore, the works can be completed, he said.
“We will see how water from the Godavari would be taken without giving it to our district. First the government should complete the three packages before altering the design. Do we have no right to utilise the river waters when it is passing through our district,” he questioned.
Shabbir Ali and Suresh Reddy warned that the party would intensify its agitation if Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao moves ahead with his plan. Mr. Madhu Goud said that the Chief Minister is doing great injustice to farmers in the district.
Braving scorching heat, the party activists and farmers took part in the padayatra, which culminated in the Rythu Barosa meeting at Navipet.
