Rayalaseema will become ‘Ratanala Seema’ after completion of Handri-Neeva canal, says Nimmala

Minister for Water Resources Nimmala Ramanaidu.
| Photo Credit: File photo

Water Resources Minister Nimmala Ramanaidu said Rayalaseema will turn into ‘Ratanala Seema’ only with the completion of Handri-Neeva canal, the biggest one in Asia. Mr. Ramanaidu inspected the canal expansion works at Pathikonda in Kurnool district on Tuesday.

Speaking to media after inspecting the ongoing works, the Minister said that Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu had included Handri-Neeva Sujala Sravanthi (HNSS) as one among the seven to eight irrigation projects identified for completion. “Towards this, Mr. Chandrababu Naidu had allocated ₹3,240 crore in the current Budget. This shows the Chief Minister’s affection and intention to develop the Rayalaseema region,” Mr. Ramanaidu said.

With the completion of works, the ponds and tanks in all the Assembly constituencies under the Handri-Neeva main canal will be filled with water, and this will ensure rise in ground water levels, he said. “For instance, in Pathikonda Assembly limits, there are 70 tanks and by filling them, the ground water levels will increase in an extent of 70 km, leading to prosperity,” he said. If the water is supplied only to the main canal, the ground water levels in the 0.5 kms on both sides of the canal will only increase, he said.

Mr. Ramanaidu criticised the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) for trying to create hurdles in the HNSS works and spreading rumours about the government’s intentions. “It is former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy who betrayed the region,” he alleged. During 2014-19, the then TDP government had spent ₹4,000 crore on Handri – Neeva, while YSRCP had spent just ₹500 crore, he added.