Date:10/06/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/06/10/stories/2005061006140600.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Pulichintala project gets environmental clearance

Special Correspondent

Work will begin within a week, says Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister

HYDERABAD: The Pulichintala project secured the environmental clearance from the Centre on Thursday giving a boost to the irrigation plans of the Andhra Pradesh Government and also bringing the much needed relief to the Chief Minister, Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, who has been under relentless attack from the Opposition on the issue.

"Work on the project will begin within a week," announced Dr. Reddy at a press conference, adding that a technical team was at the site for speeding up the work. He described the clearance as "an important milestone crossed as it would fulfil the long-lost dream of Krishna delta farmers." The Government faced several hurdles in going ahead with the project as protests from locals and the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) mounted. Maoists too cried foul and warned the Government of trouble. Legal hurdles too delayed the work.

Dr. Reddy said the Rs.550-crore Pulichintala project had become essential for stabilising the Krishna delta as it would be acting as a balancing reservoir with its 37.5 tmc capacity to sustain 11 lakh acres of the ayacut. The eight-acre land needed for the project site had already been acquired.

There would be no problem for the project-displaced too as the Government had already deposited Rs.100 crores with the Collector, he said. The tribals were being given land in addition to the regular compensation. "This is the best package in the country. Utmost care has been taken in formulating the package keeping in view every section's needs," the Chief Minister added.

Maoists snubbed

Asked about his reaction to the objections raised by Maoists to the project, he shot back: "Yentanta?" (so what?). Asked about a similar TRS stand, he just repeated his question more caustically.

Dr. Reddy asserted that his Government would not go back on its promise of converting the State into `Harithaandhrapradesh.'

"We have taken many blows but dusted the files and painstakingly completed the work of seeking public opinion. We have had to pursue the matter in New Delhi relentlessly."