AP CM directs officials to fast-track irrigation projects

Vijayawada: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy on Monday directed senior officials to pay attention on the left main canal of Polavaram, Veligonda, Vamsadhara and Owk projects.

Taking stock of the progress of Polavaram project, the Chief Minister instructed the irrigation department officials to pay attention on the left main canal as the construction of main dam is expedited. At a review meeting with senior officials, he was informed that sand filling and vibro-compaction work at gap-one of ECRF dam has been completed and similar work at gap-two is in progress.

They informed that the experts’ committee of the Central Water Commission and the Ministry of Jal Shakti have inspected the cracks in the guide bund and said the cracks could have been the result of the changes in the nature of the soil. On the suggestion of the committee, cracks are being filled up and the committee has agreed to make final recommendations after detailed analysis.

The Chief Minister was informed that the Union Finance Ministry has agreed to release Rs 12,911.15 crore for completing phase-one of the Polavaram Project and various ministries are preparing a Cabinet note for approval. While 12,658 displaced families have been shifted to the R and R colonies, efforts are on to shift the remaining 8,288 families, they said.

Reviewing the progress of Veligonda, Vamsadhara and Avuku projects, the Chief Minister suggested that officials should formulate an action plan to expedite the construction of priority projects by reviewing them once in a fortnight. The second tunnel of Owk project has been completed and the lining work is in final stages and arrangements are being made for launch in August for diverting 20,000 cusecs of Krishna flood waters to Rayalaseema.