Dy CM Pawan Kalyan: Jagananna colony built in flood-prone areas in Pithapuram

Pitapuram: Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan alleged that people staying in the Jagananna Colony in Pithapuram were severely affected by the floods as buildings were deliberately constructed in flood-risk areas.

He said that people have become ‘victims of the mistakes’ made under the previous YSRCP government in Andhra Pradesh.

The deputy CM criticised the previous government stating that the people have been severely affected by the recent floods and proposed a rehabilitation plan for those who have constructed buildings along the banks of Budameru rivulet which had overflowed and flooded the surrounding habitations.

On Monday, Pawan Kalyan visited the Pithapuram Assembly constituency to inspect the flood along the Yeleru reservoir’s catchment and command area in the Kakinada district.

‘Need a stronger system than Telangana’s HYDRAA in AP’

Speaking about the Budameru rivulet, deputy CM Pawan Kalyan said that he would soon propose a rehabilitation plan for those who settled along the banks of the Budameru rivulet as the first order of action. He said he would hold talks with chief minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu to propose the idea of rehabilitation.

Budameru, a local rivulet that passes through Vijayawada city wreaked havoc, inundating swathes of the city and destroying everything in its path.

“In the case of the Budameru encroachment, a stronger system should be implemented, perhaps even more effective than HYDRAA in Telangana. I believe it would be better to engage in discussions with those who have constructed buildings in the Budameru catchment area. Identifying and negotiating with illegal builders in the river catchment areas would be a more amicable approach,” said Pawan Kalyan.

With many individuals unknowingly purchasing land and building houses in encroachment areas, he opined that it is important to ensure no injustice is done to those people.

‘Lands in flood risk zones distributed to poor people’

In the Pithapuram constituency, Pawan Kalyan observed that the lands prone to flooding were purchased and distributed to people who don’t even have the basic facilities.

Speaking to the media, Pawan Kalyan said, “The Jagananna Colony, provided by the previous government, is now flooded. Lands in a four-foot low-lying area in Gollaprolu were given to 2,000 people across 38 acres, despite being known as a flood-prone area. The market price for the land here is Rs 30 lakhs per acre, yet Rs 60 lakhs per acre was paid, and even then, less than 10 per cent of the people settled here.”

Pawan Kalyan travelled by boat to speak directly with the victims, inspected the flooded houses, and instructed officials to provide immediate assistance to those affected.

“We have been continuously reviewing the Yelwru Reservoir flood situation due to heavy rains in the state. Initially, it was reported that there was no dangerous situation, but continuous rains have since caused severe flooding. After witnessing the situation in the colony and surrounding flooded areas, I realized the extent of the previous government's negligence. They focused on land acquisition without providing necessary facilities," he added.

He assured that the government will address the Suddagadda River flooding and seek a permanent solution.

“The construction of a bridge for the colony would have been beneficial, but the floods have completely isolated it. I will take the initiative to resolve this issue and special measures will be taken to provide relief to those affected by the Yreru and Suddagadda floods,” the deputy CM said.