Andhra Pradesh CM Jagan for focus on speed, R&R works

Amaravati: Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy reviewed progress of various irrigation projects, including Polavaram, here on Wednesday.

Works at Polavaram were going on despite Covid and monsoon, and the spillway gates' height was increased to 51 metre while it was 28 metre when they ook over and the works will be completed by September 15, the officials said.

In the same manner, works on the left canal are also going on in a fast pace. The Chief Minister said that focus should be laid on Rehabilitation and Resettlement (R&R) as well.

The projects which are to be completed this year, the Owk tunnel 2, Pula Subbaiah Veligonda tunnel 1, Nellore and Sangam barrages, linking of Vamsadhara and Nagavali stage II were discussed during the meeting in which the officials said that the Owk tunnel 2 work would be completed by October as mud was piled up in the tunnel during the recent rains and steps are being taken as per the experts' advice and there is possibility of an extra flow of 10 cusecs of water.

The officials said that water will be released in the first week of December from Pula Subbaiah Velugonda project Tunnel I and in one year 2.2 km tunnel was dug. The Chief Minister asked the officials to continue the work for the second tunnel as well.

The civil works on the Nellore barrage have nearly completed to which the officials said that gates are being fixed and nearly 86.35 per cent works were completed and the project will be rounded off by November along with Sangam barrage.

The Chief Minister instructed the officials to complete the projects in Vizianagaram. With an estimate of Rs 500 crore the remaining work on the Thotapalli barrage and other projects will be completed.

The officials said that the work on Vamsadhara-Nagavali linking would be completed by December. When the Chief Minister enquired about the Vamsadhara Stage II, Phase II works, the officials said that they will be completed by March.

Neredi Barrage and Janjhavati project issues should be looked into.

Gandikota reservoir should be able to store 26.85 tmc ft water and the R & R works should be completed, the Chief Minister said along with Chitravati with 10 tmc ft water.

He has also instructed the officials to complete the upgradation works on Gandikota-Paidipalem Lift along with Rajoli- Joladarasi projects. The tender process has been sent for judicial preview in this regard, the officials said.

The Chief Minister also instructed the officials to speed up the GNSS-HNSS linkage lift works and Pulivendula micro irrigation projects.

Minister for water resources Anil Kumar Yadav, irrigation special chief secretary Adityanath Das and other officials took part in the meeting.