KCR slams Andhra rulers for neglecting lakes in Telangana

NIZAMABAD: Chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao on Thursday blamed Andhra rulers for the neglect of lakes and other water bodies in Telangana. "The Kakatiyas had created about 80,000 lakes. Subsequent rulers ensured that these lakes were maintained well. But they fell on bad days in the last 60 years due to neglect by Andhra rulers. The TRS government will now revive all these water bodies in phases and ensure that there is no drought in the state," KCR said.
He was addressing a public meeting at Sadasivanagar in Yellareddy assembly constituency of Nizamabad district after formally launching the ambitious Mission Kakatiya programme aimed at reviving 46,447 lakes across the nascent state. In the first phase 9,573 lakes will be revived through desiltation and strengthening of the catchment. About 20 per cent of the lakes will be taken up for desiltation every year.
Earlier, he unveiled a pylon and dug the earth with a crowbar to mark the launch of the mission at Patha Cheruvu (old lake) in Sadasivanagar. Several industrialists and businessmen came forward to donate for the mission. Some industrialists have offered to adopt lakes in their native villages.
Chandrasekhar Rao announced a number of sops for Yellareddy assembly constituency. He said power supply will be augmented by setting up 11 new 33/11 substations and one 132/33 kv substation in the constituency. He also announced marriage halls for Muslims and Christians, an ITI for Tadvai mandal and 100-bed hospital and an agriculture polytechnic college in Yellareddy.
He urged farmers to utilize the silt from the lakes as fertilizer in their fields.