BHADRADRI KOTHAGUDEM

Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy on Friday alleged that the previous BRS government was responsible for the potential threat posed by the Polavaram project’s backwater effect to Bhadrachalam and other areas along the Godavari in Telangana.

The Minister reviewed the ongoing redevelopment and rejuvenation works at the historic Sree Seetha Ramachandra Swamy temple with the officials at the Sub-Collector’s office in Bhadrachalam.

Addressing the media later, Mr. Srinivas Reddy alleged that seven mandals of the erstwhile composite Khammam district and five Gram Panchayats adjoining Bhadrachalam were merged with the residual Andhra Pradesh after the bifurcation of the State due to the negligence of the then Chief Minister.

Though there has been no flooding in the Godavari this season due to the potential impact of El Nino, the backwater level could rise by 20 to 25 feet above the average level in areas along the river course from Mulugu to Bhadrachalam in the future, posing a threat to flood-prone areas in Telangana, he said.

Memoranda submitted by MLAs representing constituencies along the Godavari river course to the Central agencies concerned, flagging concerns over the issue, had failed to elicit a response, he alleged.

“We are not against the Polavaram project, but we insist that the flood-prone areas in Telangana be safeguarded,” he said.

Mr. Srinivas Reddy said a team of MPs and MLAs from Telangana, led by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, would meet the key functionaries of the Central government during the Parliament session to apprise them of the potential flood threat from the Polavaram backwater effect and urge them to re-examine the issue.

Earlier, the Minister inspected the ongoing temple development works and reviewed their progress with officials.

The State government had sanctioned ₹351 crore earlier this year for the redevelopment and rejuvenation of the temple in accordance with Agama Shastras.

He directed officials to complete the Uttara Dwaram development works before Mukkoti (Vaikunta) Ekadasi in December this year and all other works before Sri Rama Navami festival to be held in April next year.

He also instructed officials to complete the Godavari Pushkar Ghats and other related works well ahead of the Godavari Pushkarams in 2027.

The Minister stressed the need for expediting the works while maintaining high standards of quality.