Nagarkurnool: District Collector Badavath Santosh has assured full support from the state government and district administration to villagers affected by a reservoir construction. The reservoir is part of the Palamuru-Rangareddy Lift Irrigation Scheme, which is causing several villages in Kollapur Mandal to be submerged. Despite the challenges, the Collector urged the displaced villagers not to lose hope.
On Thursday, the Collector visited several affected villages, including Erragutta, Bollaram Tanda, Vadde Gudiselu, Anjanagiri, Borabanda Tanda, and Dhoolya Naik Tanda. During his visit, he interacted with the villagers to understand their concerns and assess their needs. His visit followed instructions from State Tourism Minister Jupally Krishna Rao.
The Collector assured the villagers that the government would build a well-planned Resettlement and Rehabilitation (R&R) colony for those displaced. This colony would include essential infrastructure such as a government school, primary healthcare center, wide CC roads, underground drainage, and a community hall. He emphasized that the district administration, along with the minister, is committed to providing all necessary support for the displaced families.
The villagers requested the Collector to grant them residential land pattas (ownership rights). They also asked for compensation in the form of land for the land they lost due to the reservoir. Farmers specifically urged him to ensure compensation for the lands in Survey Numbers 125 and 176.
In some areas, such as Erragutta and Bollaram Tanda, villagers faced obstructions from forest officials when trying to build houses. The Collector promised to look into these issues and gathered information about the forest land involved.
In Borabanda Tanda, the Collector informed the villagers that those affected by Survey Numbers 125 and 176 would be relocated to the R&R colony and compensated fairly.
Earlier in the day, the villagers warmly welcomed the District Collector with flowers and shawls. He was accompanied by Kollapur RDO Yadagiri, the Tahsildar, various department officials, and former ZPTC member Hanumanthu Naik, along with residents of the submerged villages.
