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Our Bureau

Modernisation project work to begin within a year: CM

Kakinada , Nov. 10

The State Government has decided to take up the modernisation of the 150-year-old Godavari delta and Krishna delta at an estimated cost of Rs 5,000 crore and the work on the massive project will begin within a year, the Chief Minister, Dr Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, has promised.

He made the promise at the Nagarjuna Fertilisers and Chemicals' factory here on Friday afternoon at a function organised to felicitate progressive farmers trained at the KVK Raju Krishi Vijnana Kendra being run by the company.

CROP DESTRUCTION

The Chief Minister said the recent Ogni cyclone had devastated paddy crop in the Krishna delta and caused extensive damage in Krishna district alone.

"Crops on eight lakh acres in Krishna district alone were damaged and the total crop loss was well over Rs 1,600 crore. It has brought to the fore the need to modernise the Krishna and the Godavari deltas," he said.

Promising all help to the farmers, Dr Reddy said he had taken it to the notice of the Union Government and as a long-term measure the delta modernisation would be taken up.

"We are appointing an expert committee and we expect the report in six months or so. Within a year, I assure you, the work on lining of the canals and improving drainage systems in the two deltas will be taken up," he promised the assembled farmers.

SOPS TO FARMERS

Dr Reddy said his Government was taking all steps to help farmers and had taken up 26 major irrigation projects at a cost of Rs 46,000 crore and "we have succeeded in providing irrigation facilities to an additional 5 lakh acres during the first two years of my Government. This year, we will provide irrigation to 7.5 lakh acres more, which adds up to 12-13 lakh acres in a span of three years. In sharp contrast, during the nine years of Telugu Desam rule, additional irrigation was provided only to 12 lakh acres."

IRRIGATION FACILITIES

He said his Government would provide irrigation facilities to an additional 10-12 lakh acres every year and "it is our aim to provide irrigation facilities to an additional one crore acres in the State."

He claimed his Government had succeeded in bringing down the suicide rate among farmers.

The Chief Minister complimented Mr K.S. Raju, Chairman and Managing Director of NFCL, and the company for taking up training of farmers. Later, he felicitated progressive farmers trained by the company.

Later, Dr Reddy inaugurated the Kakinada station of Indian Coast Guard. It is the second Coast Guard station in the State after Visakhapatnam. Vice-Admiral R.S Contractor, the Director-General of the Coast Guard, participated in the function.

Earlier, the Chief Minister laid foundation stones for a housing colony and road overbridge in the town.

More Stories on : Infrastructure | Andhra Pradesh

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