Transport Minister Mr P Ajay Kumar who oversaw the flood relief and rehabilitation work at Bhadrachalam during recent rains has asked the Andhra Pradesh government to hand five villages to be given to Telangana back.
He said Etapaka, Kannaigudem, Puchukalapadu, Purushothamaatnam, and Gundala – five villages were also part of seven Telangana mandals that were merged with Andhra Pradesh after bifurcation to pave the way for the construction of Polavaram project.
However, due to the recent unusual and heavy flooding of Godavari river, many colonies in the town and these five villages surrounding the Bhadrachalam were worst affected.
There is an urgent need to strengthen the bund and retaining wall along the river. Since these five villages come under Andhra Pradesh jurisdiction, the Telangana government cannot take up any construction in those villages.
The Telangana leaders also point out at the height of the Polavaram project and opined that the backwaters were submerging the villages and colonies in Telangana state.
However, AP Irrigation minister Mr A Ramababu took it seriously to the mere request of the Telangana leaders. He said they were constructing the Polavaram as per Central Water Commission (CWC) guidelines and with central funds. “The Telangana government should take up the issue with Central government or river board authority, he said.
However, during his visit to the Godavari river, chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao said he would convene a meeting of officials of both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh and discuss the issue of strengthening the retaining wall and also around the holy Sri Rama temple at the earliest.
By Gollapudi Srinivasa Rao