Prime Minister Narendra Modi would arrived at Begumpet airport around 2.30 pm and after brief pleasantries with the local VIPs headed straight to Gajwel to launch Mission Bhagiratha.
Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao had sought financial assistance from the Centre for the water grid project every time he met Narendra Modi in New Delhi.
The Prime Minister was impressed by the scheme and had praised the state government for taking up such a massive scheme by way of a permanent solution to the drinking water problem in state.
“The Chief Minister had sought a Rs 20,000-crore package for the water grid. The Niti Aayog had also recommended Central assistance for the project. In this backdrop, we hope the Prime Minister would make an announcement in Gajwel. The Chief Minister is also hopeful,” said Mr V. Prashanth Reddy, vice-chairman, Telangana Water Grid Corporation.
As of now, the government is relying entirely on loans to fund the `42,853-crore project. Money is being mobilised from the World Bank, Nabard, Hudco and other private lending agencies. This would impose a heavy financial burden on the government as it involves a huge interest pay-out.
Mr Rao is expected to submit a representation to the Prime Minister seeking early bifurcation of the High Court and funds for development of backward regions as also for Mission Kakatiya and irrigation projects besides seeking national status for the Kaleshwa-ram irrigation project.
