At the age of 75 years, the veteran engineer Sri Penta Reddy worked like a young man overseeing the construction of the stupendous Kaleswaram project from first to finish. He acted like a headmaster instructing the engineers on the installation and fitting of water pumps.
Offering selfless services, Sri Penta Reddy, a retired electricity department employee gained expertise working in various thermal power stations.
When the Srisailam left bank thermal power station pumps were submerged in flood waters in 2009, leaving behind his family at an advanced age, he camped there day and night. He ensured that the motors are restored within one month and saw that the water supply was normal again. Indeed, he could be described as a pioneer of lift irrigation projects in the State. He served both the Congress and TDP government in erstwhile Andhra Pradesh with the same vigour. Soon after his retirement and the formation of separated Telangana, chief minister Mr KCR appointed him as an advisor to the irrigation department.
Soon after the Kaleswaram project water pumps were submerged in flood waters, there was a hue and cry from Opposition parties. However, he infused confidence going by the experience. Sri Penta Reddy said it was common in lift irrigation projects where motor pumps are prone to submergence. But they could be restored without any problem.
OSD to Chief Minister Mr Sridhar Rao Deshpande took strong objection to remarks made by TPCC president A Revanth Reddy who rebuked Sri Penta Reddy, CM, and others accusing them of being responsible for motor pumps submergence at Kaleswaram.
Mr Deshpande opined that one could not expect regrets from Mr Revanth Reddy but he requested Sri Penta Reddy, the veteran engineer that the whole of Telangana is behind and he should not lose his morale.
By Gollapudi Srinivasa Rao