Jagan commissions Mekapati Goutham Reddy barrage; claims AP is drought-free

NELLORE: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy on Tuesday claimed that there was no mandal that was declared drought-prone in the state since the time the YSRCP came to power. The Chief Minister commissioned the Mekapati Goutham Reddy Sangam Barrage and Nellore Barrage here.

Addressing a mammoth public meeting on this occasion, YS Jagan said that his Government had been according utmost priority to the irrigation sector. "We spent Rs 320 crores on the two barrage projects, which will help stabilise five lakh acres of land." The Chief Minister also asserted that the 26 irrigation projects from Srikakulam to Chittoor, under various stages of execution, would also be completed on a priority basis.

Dedicating the barrages to the nation, YS Jagan said that the two projects would benefit Atmakur, Kovur, Sarvepalli, Nellore rural and Kavali constituencies. The Sangam barrage was named after Mekapati Goutham Reddy, former minister for industries, commerce and information technology.

"It is a tribute to Goutham Reddy, who was supposed to be here but for the tragedy. We named the Sangam Barrage after him. The project would irrigate 3.85 lakh acres," said Jagan.

"Though COVID-19 affected us just nine months after we assumed office, we overcame all odds and prioritized the project. Despite floods in Penna River for two consecutive years, we could focus on the work and spend Rs 320 crores on both the projects," added the Chief Minister.

Criticizing the opposition, Jagan said, "It was during the term of Dr YS Rajasekhar Reddy the work related to the barrages commenced. Though the previous government spent Rs 30.85 crores, they kept delaying the project."

He said that his father had spent Rs 80 crores on the Nellore barrage which was later neglected by the opposition. "I feel proud to have completed the pending projects for which my father laid the foundation stone," said Jagan.

The barrages were built 140 years ago by the Britishers and reportedly, the government has spent Rs 200 crores to complete the project.

The Chief Minister has also sanctioned RS 85-crore worth of works which includes connectivity to the national highway from Sangam Barrage at a cost of Rs 15 crores. Also, Rs 40 crore was approved for the works on 12 irrigation projects and Rs 14 crores for laying roads to improve village connectivity. A special grant of Rs 12 crore was sanctioned for Atmakur municipality and Rs 4 crores towards the drawing of water to Sangam Panchayat from the barrage.

The Chief Minister unveiled the statues of DR YS Rajasekhar Reddy and Mekapati Goutham Reddy at the inauguration ceremony. Ministers Ambati Rambabu, Kakani Govardhan Reddy. MPs, MLCs, MLAs, officials and Mekapati Goutham Reddy's family members were present on the occasion.