Jagan launches Aqua University in Narsapuram, 15 projects worth Rs. 3,300 cr

West Godavari: Marking World Fisheries Day on 21 November, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S Jagan Mohan Reddy laid the foundation stone for Aqua University and inaugurated 15 projects worth Rs. 3,300 crores in Narsapuram, West Godavari district. This is the first time the people of Narsapuram are witnessing the start of the town's new development.

Aqua University

After Tamil Nadu and Kerala, Andhra Pradesh is the third state to establish an Aqua University at Narasapuram. DPR has been approved at an estimated cost of Rs. 332 crores on 350 acres. The university's main objective is to impart education in different branches of fisheries science and undertake extension activities in rural areas of the state. Others include the promotion of research, technology refinement in production and post-harvest technologies, and streamlining fisheries education, leading to the comprehensive development of the aqua sector. The aqua university will offer diplomas in fisheries and undergraduate and post-graduate degrees in fisheries science, besides Ph.D. degrees. In the second phase, a seafront campus and research centre will be established on a 350-acre site at Biyyaputippa village at a cost of Rs 222 crore.

Jagan also laid the foundation for the Biyapputippa fishing harbor with a budget if Rs. 429 crores, which will benefit 6,000 fishing families; nine fishing harbors in the state at a cost of Rs. 3,500 crores; a water grid project at a cost of Rs. 1,400 crores; an electricity sub-station at a cost of Rs. 133 crores; a municipal water project for Rs. 87 crores; and underground drainage in Narasapuram town.

The Biyyaputhippa fishing harbor, with 640 meters berth and 2,400 meters breakwater length, will have all facilities like platforms, auction halls, drying yards, boat parking area, restrooms for fishermen, and a cold storage room.

Rs. 108 cr compensation for 23,458 fishermen

Jagan said the state government is launching another programme to release Rs. 108 crores to 23,458 fishermen families affected by the ONGC activities in Mummadivaram. This is for the fishermen families in Kakinada and Konaseema districts who suffered losses due to the ONGC projects.

100-bed-hospital

A 100-bed hospital constructed in Narsapuram at a cost of Rs. 13 crores was also inaugurated. The hospital has medical equipment worth Rs. 66 lakhs and other facilities like an oxygen plant and generator.

Precautions to prevent water pollution

After observing that the area has a drinking water problem due to contamination of surface water due to aquaculture cultivation, Jagan laid the foundation for the water grid project at a cost of Rs. 1,400 crores. Through this project, Godavari water from Vijjeshwaram reservoir will be treated by rapid sand filters and supplied through a pipeline. Safe drinking water will be supplied to around 18.50 lakh people in 1,178 villages in 26 mandals.

Jagan hits back at Naidu.

The Chief Minister hit back at TDP chief Nara Chandra Babu Naidu at the public meeting in Narsapuram. "Today, TDP has become Telugu Bhuthula (expletives) party and Janasena is Rowdy Sena. Chandrababu Naidu has yet to do anything worthwhile in his long career. He and his foster son (Pawan Kalyan) have nothing to claim before people, which is why they are showing their frustration in their recent speeches," said Jagan.