*YSRCP to fight it out for RIL*

Nellore, July 13: YSRCP has reiterated that Rayalaseema Lift Irrigation (RIL) project is lifeline of the project and the coalition government has stalled it and we will continue to agitate seeking its completion.

Speaking to media after a round table conference of the RIL Task Force held here on Monday, Party State Coordinator Sajjala Ramakrishna Reddy said, the coalition government has stalled the RIL which provides 101 TMC of Krishna water allocated to Rayalaseema, Nellore and Chennai.

Chandrababu has halted the works as he assured the Revanth Reddy government at the cost of Rayalaseema's needs as the project, once completed would have provided 3 TMC of water per day. Though RIL is stalled, the coalition government is talking about Banakacherla to draw water from the Godavari.

As RIL is the lifeline of Rayalaseema and a major part of the work is completed we demand that the project be completed and we will fight it out till it is completed.

The shift to Banakacherla is not in the interest of the State alone and the decision of stalling the RIL follows the assurance given to the Telangana government, he said.

Though 80 per cent of the works were completed the State government has failed to take it further depriving the Rayalaseema region of its water needs, which is already facing hardships with the height of the Almatti Dam being raised. He failed to question the Centre for raising the dam height from 519 metres to 524 metres which is adversely affecting the inflow of Krishna waters to the region.

The Chandrababu government has stalled the project as bills worth Rs 900 crore were due for civil works and canals and is not honouring the works called for.