The Sitarama Lift Irrigation Project based on the Godavari river will be completed in a fast-track mode within one and a half years by drawing inspiration from the speedy commissioning of the Bhakta Ramadasu Lift Irrigation Scheme (BRDLIS) in a record span of around 10 months, Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao said.
A memorial will be constructed in Nelakondapalli, the birth place of Bhakta Ramadasu, to preserve the rich musical legacy of the legendary saint composer widely acclaimed for his soul-stirring keertanas in praise of Lord Rama, the Chief Minister announced.
He was speaking at a well-attended public meeting at Tirumalayapalem on Tuesday afternoon after inaugurating the BRDLIS by switching on the motor at the pump house of the LI scheme at Erragadda Tanda in Kusumanchi mandal coinciding with the birth anniversary of Bhakta Ramadasu.
A jubilant mood prevailed at the DBM-60 main canal at Islavath Tanda in Tirumalayapalem mandal when the Chief Minister offered special puja to Krishna water drawn from Palair reservoir and pumped into the canal through lift, amid cheers from elated farmers of the upland mandal.
Addressing a huge gathering of farmers in Tirumalayapalem, the Chief Minister came down heavily on the Congress leaders charging them with creating obstacles to the endeavour of the government to expeditiously complete the lift irrigation schemes such as Kaleshwaram project.
Speedy commissioning of BRDLIS facilitating irrigation to around 60,000 acres in the upland areas of Palair constituency reflected the government’s resolve to irrigate the parched lands in the entire State by utilising both Krishna and Godavari waters optimally, he said, adding that irrigation cover under the BRDLIS would be extended to some other left-over villages in Palair constituency.
The State government would lay special focus on strengthening rural economy, he said.
Deputy Chief Minister Kadiam Srihari, Ministers T Nageswara Rao, T Harish Rao and G Jagadeeswar Reddy, Khammam MP P Srinivas Reddy, and MLA P Ajay Kumar were present.
