Karimnagar: The government proposed to lay roads worth Rs 580 crore in the State for the convenience of pilgrims who will attend Godavari Pushkarams. This was disclosed by R and B Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao. The Minister visited the district on Wednesday to lay foundation stones for several developmental works. Tummala laid foundation stone for laying of road worth Rs 23.2 crore in Mallapur mandal of Jagitial division.

He also laid a stone for a road to be laid between Damarajpalli to Metpalli and for another road between Ragavapet to Valgonda to be laid at a total cost of Rs 9 crore.Speaking on the occasion, he said, "The government was taking up several developmental activities right from Basara to Bhadrachalam to prevent any inconvenience to devotees attending the ensuing Godavari pushkarams. Roads are being laid at several places.”

Speaking about the measures being taken by the State government to augment power supply, he said it was being planned to purchase power from Chhattisgarh and Kerala. Referring on the welfare schemes, he said the government introduced 'Arogya Lakshmi scheme' for pregnant women and increased the salaries of Anganwadi helpers from Rs 4,500 to Rs 7,000. ZP Chairperson Tula Uma, Korutla MLA Vidyasagar Rao, ZPTC Deva Muthamma, MPP Baddam Vijay, Jagtial Sub-Collector D Krishna Bhaskar, R&B SE Chandu Lal and EE Upendar were present.