Lokesh sanctions Rs 300 Cr retaining wall

By DASI PURNA KARTHIK

On 13 Apr 2025 17:23:05

Lokesh sanctions Rs 300 Cr retaining wall

• Reaffirms commitment to Mangalagiri development

Minister for IT and HRD Nara Lokesh on Sunday announced that a retaining wall project worth Rs 300 crore has been sanctioned to prevent flooding in the Mahanadu region. He said the foundation stone for the project would be laid soon.

Addressing residents during the Mana Illu – Mana Lokesh program held at Don Bosco School in Mangalagiri Rural, Lokesh said development works in the constituency were setting a model for the rest of the state. “I just laid the foundation stone for a 100-bed hospital, something the people of Mangalagiri have aspired to for decades. When I proposed this in the cabinet, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu instructed that such hospitals be built in all 175 constituencies,” he said. He announced that works related to a comprehensive project covering underground drainage, gas supply, and electricity will begin in June.

Lokesh also assured that registration of pattas would be completed within two weeks and beneficiaries would gain the right to sell them within two years. “By issuing these pattas, we have effectively transferred property worth Rs 1,000 crore to the beneficiaries,” he said, adding that parks and ponds were being developed for children and a master plan had been prepared for the development of the Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple.

He credited his electoral victory for enabling him to pursue and secure development projects. “It is because of the majority you gave me that I am able to fight and get things done,” he said.

Lokesh said Mangalagiri has a promising future and capital region works would resume soon. He outlined plans to attract industries to the constituency and create employment opportunities. “Wherever we go in the State, Mangalagiri’s name should be heard. We will work hard to achieve that,” he said.

Revenue minister A Satya Prasad praised Lokesh as a visionary leader who was instrumental in regularizing lands and expediting the issuance of pattas through GO No. 30. He described Lokesh as a guiding figure not only for Mangalagiri but for the entire state.

Calling for continued public support, Prasad said Lokesh should serve as the MLA for four more terms. He lauded Lokesh’s leadership qualities and commitment to the poor, recalling his efforts to amend rules to allow beneficiaries to sell their pattas within two years.

“People once laughed when Chandrababu spoke about IT. Today, he has built an ecosystem around it. Similarly, Lokesh is laying a foundation for inclusive growth through initiatives like this,” Prasad said.