Rs 38,500-cr project to benefit Telangana region, Congress

Pranahita, means dear to life. The Rs 38,500-crore Pranahita-Chevella project  for which the chief ministers of Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra signed a memorandum of understanding (M0U) is expected to bring not only life to the parched lands of Telangana region but also relief to the beleaguered Congress party in the region.

Once completed, the project will irrigate 16.70 lakh acres land in semi-arid Adilabad, Nizamabad, Karimnagar, Medak, Warangal, Ranga Reddy and Nalgonda districts ; provide 30 TMC of drinking water  for greater Hyderabad, 10 TMC of drinking water for 117 villages  and 16 TMC for Industries.

The project would cost Rs. 38,500 crores and is expected to be completed by 2018-19.
Congress seniors also believe that the project would  help rebuild the sagging image of the party and party leaders who were unable to face the people because of the statehood issue and the central leadership’s apathy.

The party would now be able to claim that they stood for development of the region.
This historic agreement  was signed on Saturday between the governments of Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra in the presence of Union Water Resources minister P K Bhansal in the national Capital.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has hailed the agreement and said this should serve as a role model to other inter-state projects.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy and Maharashtra Chief Minister Pruthviraj Chauhan have assured that they would continue the same attitude of amicability and resolve all future problems.

Alternative to demand

Many believe that the Central government has brokered this agreement, as part of its unannounced package to the Telangana region, as an alternative to the demand for a separate state.

The Centre also might announce some  more sops to Telangana so as to placate the people.

Ministers close to the  chief minister say that credit for getting the agreement signed goes to Kiran Kumar Reddy who has been silently working out for the agreement.
He has also kept his efforts under wraps, so that there would not be any opposition from any quarters before agreement was signed.

However, the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) says the credit of Pranahita-Chevella goes to the ever vigilant Telangana forces. 

“It is because of ten years of agitation that the union government has agreed to implement the project. TRS will be behind the state government for the speedy completion of project.

“TRS also believes that statehood to Telangana is the only solution,” Etela Rajendra , the TRSLP leader in state Assembly said.