Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Monday promised to develop Kurnool district into a major centre for temple tourism and drive away drought from the district.
Addressing a State-level review meeting on Krishna pushkarams at the Kurnool Collectorate, he directed Endowments Commissioner Y.V. Anuradha to develop all the ancient temples in the district, responding to a request by Nandyal MLA Bhuma Nagi Reddy and Kurnool MLA S.V. Mohan Reddy. Ms. Anuradha said ‘mukha mantapams’ were built at the ancient Sangameswaram temple and the Saraswathi temple at Kolanubharathi in Kurnool district.
The sanctum sanctorum of the Sangameswaram temple would be rebuilt as per rituals with an outlay of Rs. 90 lakh. A sum of Rs. 1 crore was earmarked for Kolanubharathi temple and the ancient stone work would be renovated after Krishna pushkarams, the Commissioner said.
Allagadda MLA Bhuma Akhila Priya sought sprucing up of Ahobilam temple and Banaganapalle MLA B. Jayanageswara Reddy wanted a facelift given for the Yaganti temple. Mr. Nagi Reddy wanted foolproof arrangements for providing food to pilgrims at Srisailam and streamlining the traffic going to the pilgrim centre.
The Chief Minister asserted that completion of Muchumarri lift irrigation scheme would help drive away drought from the Rayalaseema region, by drawing water to irrigate 1.50 lakh acres under Galeru Nagari and KC Canal. Noting that some persons were trying to obstruct Galeru Nagari Sujala Sravanthi project, he warned that he would become the biggest litigant if anyone created litigations.
Release of water
Mr. Naidu assured release of irrigation water for 50,000 acres from Guru Raghavendra project, for 21,300 acres from Siddhapuram LI scheme and 14,222 acres from Alur branch canal this year. He told irrigation officials to explore the scope for Gundrevula and Vedavathi projects.
The Chief Minister said Rs.282 crore was sanctioned for development of Kurnool city and its beautification on the lines of Vijayawada city. On Mr. Mohan Reddy’s plea, Mr. Naidu directed removal of encroachments on Handri Neeva, Tungabhadra and KC Canal course and to build townships for the displaced.
