Complete Thotapalli Project by June-end: Ashok Gajapathi Raju.

Minister for Civil Aviation P Ashok Gajapathi Raju directed irrigation officials to complete all the works of Thotapalli project by June-end. He held a review meeting with irrigation officials on the inter-linking of Thotapalli and Ramatheertha Sagar projectsr= recently.

Thotapalli project superintending engineer Tirumala Rao explained that already water was being supplied to 34,200 acres in Vizianagaram and another 33,600 acres in Srikakulam districts. By June-end, 90 per cent of the total project works would be completed and promised to supply water for irrigation to a total extent of 1.10 lakh acres in both the districts. Works for the 20 branch canals and 26 sub-canals were completed and minor works of the sub-minor canals would be completed by June, the SE assured the minister.

The Irrigation department had planned to provide water from the Thotapalli project to 9,000 acres in Balijipeta, Bobbili, Terlam and Badangi mandals. However, the farmers had asked for water for irrigating 20,000 acres, the SE informed the minister. Ashok Gajapathi Raju directed the collector to send proposals on the farmers’ demand. Later, addressing Roads and Buildings department officials, the minister enquired about the progress of expansion and widening of roads. The minister directed the officials to kick-start the 60-foot road widening works between Gunchi and Rythu Bazar and the 100-foot road works from Rythu Bazar to the Ring Road petrol bunk. The road works from the Ring Road to Dasannapeta, Ambati Satram to Kothapet water tank, Ganta Sthambham (Clock Tower) to the Old Bus Stand and Fort to Simhachalam Meda should start immediately, the minister said.

THE NEW INDIAN EXPRESS