Rahul Gandhi begins padyatra with Chhattisgarh farmers

Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday began his padyatra with farmers and workers from Saradih village in Janjgir-Champa district of Chhattisgarh.

The state government here is building seven barrages on the Mahanadi river, including at the Saradih, Biraoni, Kalma and Basantpur villages, to supply water to over 40 power plants proposed to come up in the predominantly agricultural district.

Gandhi had earlier met villagers affected by coal mining, power projects and wild elephants menace.