More colonies for project-hit

  • 02/12/2008

  • Deccan Chronicle (Hyderabad)

Rajahmundry Dec. 2: Two more rehabilitation colonies are getting ready at Thotagondhi and Mamidigondhi for the benefit of the Indira Sagar Polavaram project-affected people from Polavaram mandal as part of the relief and rehabilitation package in West Godavari shortly. As many as 29 villages (including three de-populated villages) are going to be affected under the Indira Sagar Polavaram project and the authorities have identified 4,363 families to be provided with relief and rehabilitation. To provide land for land to the affected tribals, the authorities have proposed 3,340 acres for acquisition, and so far 1,500 acres were acquired. They estimate the requirement of 516 acres for construction of colonies to provide housing for both tribals and non-tribals, and so far, nearly 300 acres were acquired. The entire process is expected to be completed by March 2010. The first rehabilitation colony at Devaragondhi village, accommodating nearly 111 project-affected families, was inaugurated recently by minister for major irrigation Ponnala Lakshmaiah. Similarly, two more colonies are coming up and are expected to be inaugurated in a month or two. At the Thotagondhi rehabilitation centre, 68 families are going to be accommodated with the authorities developing infrastructure like roads, drains, power supply, community hall, school building, anganwadi centre, panchayat office and religious structures. In addition to the existing two colonies, two more at Chegondapalli for 290 families and Singanapalli are coming up. Construction of houses was started at Chegongapalli with title deeds issued while at Singanapalli, layouts are being laid for house sites at present. Jangareddygudem revenue divisional officer V. Venkateswarlu said,