Government preparing barrage-cum-bridge projects on Krishna, Bhima: Vakiti Srihari

Minister for Animal Husbandry Vakiti Srihari on Monday accused former Ministers and former MLAs from the Palamuru region of indulging in political theatrics by campaigning in Karnataka with the slogan “Water in Karnataka-Cracks in Telangana”.

He alleged that the campaign was aimed at misleading the public rather than safeguarding the interests of farmers in the region. Mr. Srihari said leaders who claimed that the Telangana movement was fought for water, funds and jobs had remained silent when dams were constructed in Karnataka during the BRS government.

The Minister contended that the previous government had neglected the interests of farmers dependent on the Jurala project and had failed to explore measures such as constructing barrage-cum-bridges across the Krishna and Bhima rivers for water storage, irrigation and drinking water supply.

He said the Congress government was pursuing a planned approach and, in coordination with the Karnataka government, had prepared Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for the proposed barrage-cum-bridge projects on the two rivers.

Mr. Srihari also criticised the previous government for allegedly neglecting the development of Jurala submergence villages, including Bhoothpur, Neddagam, Anugonda, Ankenpalli and Dadampalli.

Urging former public representatives to refrain from what he termed – misinformation, Mr. Srihari asserted that the government remained committed to protecting the interests of Palamuru farmers and advancing the region’s development.