Andhra Pradesh CM YS Jagan Mohan Reddy inaugurated Mekapati Gautham Reddy Sangam Barrage, built on the Penna river at Sangam, and Nellore Barrage on Tuesday. Additionally, he opened the recently built Penna barrage-cum-road bridge, which will make it easier to travel between Sangam-Podalakur and Nellore-Kovur.
CM Jagan also unveiled the statues of former Chief Minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy and former Minister Mekapati Goutham Reddy near the Sangam barrage.
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Addressing a public meeting, the chief minister said that the MGR Sangam and Nellore barrages would supply enough water to irrigate 4 lakh acres in the districts of Atmakur, Kovur, Sarvepalli, and Kavali. He said, "The Sangam and Nellore barrages were completed at the cost of Rs 335.80 crore by the YSRCP government."
"0.45 TMC of water is always available in the Sangam barrage. This will increase the groundwater level and solve the drinking water problems in the surrounding villages. Sangam barrage is also helpful for flood control during extreme flood conditions and will become an attractive tourism project," the CM said.
Water stored at Sangam barrage can irrigate 3.85 lakh acres, and Nellore barrage can bring 99,525 acres under irrigation. Former CM YS Rajasekhara Reddy (YSR), who passed away in 2006, set the groundwork for modernising the Sangam barrage as part of Jalayagnam. After 16 years, Jagan Reddy, YSR's son, dedicated both barrages to the country.
(With inputs from ABP Desam — It is a Telugu platform of ABP News. For more news, commentary and latest happenings from two Telugu states, follow https://telugu.abplive.com//amp)