Speaking to the media in Hyderabad on March 26, CPI State Secretary (Andhra Pradesh) K. Ramakrishna announced that the CPI will organise 2-day ‘mass deekshas’ to protest against the Polavaram project starting from March 27.
The Polavaram Project is an under construction multi-purpose irrigation project on the Godavari River in the Eluru District and East Godavari District in Andhra Pradesh. The project has been accorded National project status by the Central Government of India.
The Communist Party of India wants the height of the project to not be reduced and continue the way it was previously envisioned.
“The State will not benefit much if the height is reduced. Irrigation water to the Krishna delta and Sujala Sravanthi project in Uttarandhra is possible only if the Polavaram project is completed. Also, water can be provided to Rayalaseema,” Ramakrishna stated.
Apart from this, the CPI leaders would also visit the areas that suffered crop losses following the recent unseasonal rain from March 29 along with representatived of the Rythu Sangam, a farmers movement, staed Ramakrishna.
Mr. Ramakrishna said the farmers suffered crop losses in an extent of three lakh acre, but the State government was “indifferent to the farmers’ plight.”
The CPI and Rythu Sangham leaders would study the crop loss and bring the same to the notice of the government, he said.
Interestingly, the Centre and Andhra CM YS Jagan Mohan Reddy have clarified that the height of the project was never set to be reduced and will measure 45.72 meters, which was the decided height.
He lashed out at the opposition parties for unleashing ‘false campaign; on the issue. The CM also promised to complete the project by June 2023.
Amid heavy confusion and chaos, the common man of Andhra Pradesh hopes that the project gets built successfully and benefits the citizens.