2nd phase of GNSS will reduce farmers' woes: CM

Nagari, Andhra Pradesh, June 4 (UNI) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy today launched the second phase of the Galeru- Nagari Sujala Sravanthi (GNSS) irrigation project here.

Addressing a public meeting, he said tenders had been invited for the project. ''It would be a great relief to the farmers of the drought-prone areas. We will begin the construction of canal in the next month and the whole project will be complete in three to four years,'' the CM said.

This Rs 2189.26 crore project would be covering drought-prone areas in Chittoor, Kadapa and Nellore districts. It would irrigate 30,000 acres of lands in six constituencies in Chittor district alone.

The canal would draw water from the Srisailam reservior in Kurnool through Pothireddipadu head regulator and connect it with reservoirs in Chittoor and Kadapa districts, he said.

As an addition to GNSS, minor irrigation projects would be developed at a cost of Rs 250-crore and NABARD's assistance would be sought to construct small scale irrigation tanks, the CM said.

Mr Reddy said the government would provide compensation for the submerged lands as per the market rate.

UNI KNR RL PM1836