Date:16/10/2004 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2004/10/16/stories/2004101604990600.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Protests mark foundation for Pulichintala project

By K. Venkateshwarlu

PULICHINTALA, OCT. 15. Amid protests from across the Krishna in Nemalipur village of Nalgonda district in Telangana, the Chief Minister, Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy, today laid the foundation stone for the controversial Rs. 268-crore Pulichintala project here.

Even as the Chief Minister performed the `bhoomi puja' and promised settlement of compensation within six to nine months, one could see a large number of demonstrators setting fire to the work sheds. They were protesting against the shifting of the foundation site from their village, and against submergence and the quantum of compensation.

The strong regional feelings evoked by the project were reflected in the non-appearance of the public representatives from Nalgonda district for the function, though their names figured on the foundation stone. They included the Home Minister, K. Jana Reddy, the CPI MP, Suravaram Sudhakar Reddy, the Congress MP and Union Minister, S. Jaipal Reddy, the Kodad Congress MLA, Uttam Kumar Reddy, and the zilla parishad chairperson, K. Laxmamma. Notwithstanding the protests on the other side, a large number of people who gathered here — some of whom had trekked long distances — hailed the project as a ``101-year-old dream coming true.'' Some even wanted it to be named `Rajasekhara Reddy project'. The project is believed to have been originally planned over 100 years ago and the Chief Minister himself referred to the two foundation stones laid in the past — in 1961 and 1988 — when Damodaram Sanjivayya and N. T. Rama Rao respectively were the Chief Ministers.

For stabilising delta

The project across the Krishna is aimed at stabilisation of Krishna delta to an extent of 13.08 lakh acres. It is to be completed in 30 months.

A feature of the project would be use of Chinese technology for its 33 gates. There will be provision for generating power, as also supplying drinking water.

"Unlike the past, we are determined to complete the project within three years now. . After all, we have got the mandate," Dr. Reddy said, criticising the Telugu Desam.

Rehabilitation promised

He said any new project involved submergence and in the case of Pulichintala, it would affect seven villages in Guntur and five in Nalgonda either fully or partially.

"We understand the anxiety of the people in these villages and we will rehabilitate them in such a manner that the new ones become model villages with roads, buildings and temples."