Emotional moment for Mekapati family as Jagan Mohan dedicates Goutham Reddy Sangam barrage to nation

It was an emotional moment for the family of former industries minister Mekapati Goutam Reddy, who died in February, as Chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy on Tuesday, 6 September, dedicated the Mekapati Goutham Reddy Sangam Barrage in Nellore to the nation.

Jagan Mohan was seen comforting a visibly emotional Mekapati Manimanjari, Goutam Reddy’s mother, still grappling with the sudden demise of her elder son Goutham Reddy, who died of a cardiac arrest.

Goutam Reddy’s entire family was present at the ceremony and later the chief minister unveiled a statue of the former minister. Jagan had also declared open the Nellore barrage.

The two projects would benefit the Atmakur, Kovur, Sarvepalli, Nellore Rural, and Kavali constituencies.

“It is a tribute to Goutham Reddy, who was supposed to be here but for the tragedy, and we named the Sangam barrage after him. The project will irrigate 3.85 lakh acres, work on which was expedited,” Jagan Mohan said.

“Though Corona hit just nine months after we assumed office, we overcame all odds and prioritised the project. Despite floods in the Penna river for two consecutive years, we focused on the work and spent ₹320 crore on both the projects.”

The barrages were built 140 years back by the British and no one had bothered to carry out any repair works, he said. It was only during the term of Dr YS Rajasekhar Reddy did the work start in 2006.

“As his son, I am proud I could complete the projects in my term. The previous government had spent just ₹30.85 crore and kept delaying the project. It was only our government that has completed the project.

For Nellore barrage, too, Rajasekhar Reddy had spent ₹80 crore,” Jagan added.

Jagan & Goutham: childhood friends

While moving a condolence motion in the state Assembly on March 8, Chief Minister Jagan Mohan had recalled his bond with Goutham Reddy and how he was a childhood friend.

“Goutham had good education; in fact, studied in the United Kingdom. And though he was not in politics, when I came out of Congress party on a matter of principle, he was one of few people who supported me along with his father Raja Mohan Reddy.”

Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy and former industries minister Mekapati Goutham Reddy. (Supplied)

Goutham had won twice as MLA and handled six departments in the Cabinet, including, industries, infrastructure and investment, IT and electronics, handlooms and textiles, sugar industries, and skill development.

The chief minister had said it was through the efforts of Goutham Reddy that industries like Century Plywood, Sri Cements, Sun Pharma, Aditya Birla Group, and the Adani group come to the state.

He said the government, on the request of Mekapati Raja Mohan Reddy, would take over Rajamohan Reddy Institute of Technology and Science in Udayagiri and name it after Mekapati Goutham Reddy.

It was during his speech that Jagan Mohan had promised the Sangam Barrage would be completed in six months and that it would be named the Mekapati Goutham Sangam Barrage.