Return 5 gram panchayats merged with Andhra: Telangana Minister Tummala to CM Naidu

Amaravati: Telangana Agriculture Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao on Monday urged Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu to return the five gram panchayats that were merged with AP at the time of bifurcation.

He also sought cooperation on key irrigation, flood protection, railway, and religious infrastructure issues concerning the Khammam–Bhadrachalam region.

The meeting, held in Amaravati, focused on resolving long-pending inter-state matters arising from the 2014 reorganisation of the erstwhile united Andhra Pradesh.

Restoration of five villages

The minister pressed for the return of five gram panchayats that were merged with Andhra Pradesh during the bifurcation to facilitate the Polavaram Project across the Godavari River.

He pointed out that the villages, earlier part of the undivided Khammam district and located near Bhadrachalam, are geographically positioned in a manner that creates administrative inconvenience. Residents travelling to Telangana from Bhadrachalam have to pass through Andhra Pradesh territory, he noted.

Tummala said restoration of the villages would require Parliamentary approval and resolutions from both state Assemblies, urging the Centre to initiate the legislative process. He added that tribal communities and residents have repeatedly demanded their merger back into Telangana, citing administrative and cultural reasons.

Irrigation and flood protection

Raising irrigation concerns, the minister sought the release of 85 per cent of the funds required for repair works of Peddavagu in Khammam district.

He also requested immediate repairs to the embankment constructed to protect Bhadrachalam from floods, particularly the portion that now falls within Andhra Pradesh after bifurcation. Timely restoration of the flood protection structure is essential to safeguard the temple town and surrounding habitations, he said.

Land in Tirumala, Temple in Khammam

The Telangana minister appealed for the allotment of five acres of land in Tirumala to enable the Telangana government to provide facilities for pilgrims visiting the shrine.

He also sought cooperation for establishing a Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) temple in Khammam district to serve devotees locally.

Railway projects and border development

Tummala urged support for expediting the Sathupalli–Kovvur and Penuballi–Amaravati railway lines, stating that improved connectivity would significantly benefit people in the border districts of both states.

He emphasised that coordinated development of roads, irrigation works, and railway infrastructure would promote economic growth and strengthen ties between the two Telugu-speaking states.

Positive response from AP

According to the Telangana minister, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu responded positively to the requests. An official statement from the Andhra Pradesh government said the two leaders discussed issues requiring cooperation and coordination.

Tummala expressed confidence that the pending matters would be addressed through continued dialogue and high-level consultations between the two governments.