The issue of linkage of rivers and construction of irrigation projects rocked the Andhra Pradesh Assembly today with ruling TDP and main opposition YSR Congress engaging in heated exchange of words.
The proposal to construct an irrigation project at Pattiseema in West Godavari district utilising the Godavari river water presently going waste into the sea was the bone of contention between the two sides.
The debate saw Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu expressing anger at the YSRC members who stormed the Speaker's podium.
Speaking on the issue earlier, TDP's Jayanageswara Reddy, G Buchaiah Chowdary and party whip Kalva Srinivasulu said the proposed project envisages transferring the Godavari water to Krishna river and provide water to Rayalaseema region which is among places with lowest rainfall in the country.
However, YSRC members Visweswara Reddy and others questioned the rationale behind taking up the venture as the multi-purpose Polavaram project, which has been accorded national status by the Centre, is located in the same region.
P Vishnukumar Raju, member of TDP's ally BJP, said the Centre would fully support the construction of Polavaram (as per the mandate under AP Reorganisation Act) and also argued in favour of the proposed project.
Leader of Opposition Y S Jaganmohan Reddy feared that the Polavaram project would be affected if the new project is implemented.
Polavaram has been a dream and it was during late Y S Rajasekhara Reddy's regime that substantial works were carried out on the project, he said.
Intervening in the debate, the Chief Minister referred to Raju's comments that the NDA government would complete the Polavaram project.
