Minister for Tourism, Culture and Cinematography Kandula Durgesh on Friday said that ₹150 crore has been proposed to repair Sir Arthur Cotton barrage across river Godavari at Dowleswaram in East Godavari district.

The Minister hoisted the national flag at the Rajahmundry Government College grounds before felicitating the family members of freedom fighters of the erstwhile East Godavari district during the 79th Independence Day celebrations on Friday (August 15, 2025).

Addressing the gathering, Mr. Durgesh also claimed that the 104-acre Kalavacharla industrial park is ready for the industries to be set up. The A.P. Industrial Infrastructure Corporation has developed the industrial park.

In Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema district, Minister for Labour Vasamsetti Subhash hoisted the national flag at GMC Balayogi stadium in Amalapuram.

Mr. Subhash in his address said that, “Six temples have been proposed to be developed under the Swadeshi Darshan 2.0 in the district. The realignment survey is in progress for the 57-km-long Kotipalli-Narsapur railway line, which is part of Konaseema railway project.” 

On women empowerment, Mr. Subhash said that women belonging to 12 coastal villages have been trained in seaweed cultivation through the Green Climat Fund of the United Nations Development Programme.

On rejuvenation of coconut orchards, he said, “The Coconut Development Board is offering ₹53,000 aid per hectare for rejuvenation of coconut orchards that are struggling to survive due to various challenges in the Konaseema region”.

Meanwhile, in West Godavari district, Minister for Water Resources Nimmala Rama Naidu hoisted the national flag.