Nellore temple rebuild begins; Minister unveils ₹1,100-crore temple plan
Foundation stone laid for ancient Sri Kondandarama Swami temple in Nellore; Minister announces ₹1,100 crore for 800 temples and canal vow.
State Endowments Minister Anam Ramanarayana Reddy on Saturday laid the foundation stone for the reconstruction of the ancient Sri Kondandarama Swami temple in DC Palle village, located in the SPSR Nellore district.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Minister outlined a broader initiative to develop 800 temples across the state, with a total financial allocation of ₹1,100 crore for the purpose.
In a related development, Mr. Reddy reiterated his commitment to completing the Anam Sanjeeva Reddy (ASR) Somasila High Level Canal, a project intended to supply water to the remote Marripadu mandal in Nellore district. He noted that the region has faced prolonged underdevelopment and asserted that the current NDA alliance government is focused on addressing backwardness in such areas.
The Minister stated that the canal project would be finished at any cost to meet the water needs of the parched mandal, expressing confidence that it would soon become a reality. He recalled his earlier role as a Cabinet Minister in the erstwhile united Andhra Pradesh, during which the project received its initial sanction. Work on the canal has reportedly reached 68% completion.
Mr. Reddy also criticised the previous government for allegedly neglecting the project until 2024, suggesting it had been relegated to the back burner during that period.