BJP senior leader and Koppula Velama Corporation Chairman Earle Sree Rama Murthy on Friday urged the State government to complete the Babu Jagjivan Ram Uttarandhra Sujala Sravanthi project to ensure a dedicated Godavari water source for the united Vizianagaram and Srikakulam districts.

He said that quick completion of the project, at least by 2029, would provide big relief for farmers who faced untold miseries due to climate change, including the El Niño effect this year. Speaking to The Hindu in Vizianagaram, Mr. Murthy said he had done a detailed study on the Polavaram project and its benefits to the North Andhra region 30 years ago and submitted a detailed report to the government.

“As many as four lakh acres of land in Vizianagaram and Srikakulam districts would get assured water facility if the canals were taken up on top priority. The State government should allocate more funds for the Uttarandhra Sujjala Sravanbthi project since it is not part of the Polavaram project, which the Union government is funding,” said Mr. Murthy, who has toured in North Andhra districts to study the agricultural activity in the region.