Polavaram works at brisk pace: CM YS Jagan Mohan Reddy

Vijayawada: Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy said on Wednesday there will be no change in the height of Polavaram dam and the state government would complete the project by the December 2021 with height of 45.72 metre as proposed. The Chief Minister participated in the debate in the Assembly on the Polavaram project.

He said the project works were continuing at brisk pace and would be completed by the of December 2021. He said state irrigation minister, finance minister and officials visited Delhi several times and informed the Union government on the requirements of the funds to complete the Polavaram project. He said the state government has clear view as to how to complete the project and added that about 50 per cent project works were completed by May 10, 2019 when YSRCP government came to power.

He further said the state government had saved Rs 1,342 crore in reverse tendering process for the Polavaram project and alleged that the TDP government resorted to corruption in construction of the project.

He reminded the TDP government had stated that Rs 83.45 crore were spent for bus charges to sponsor bus visits the Polavaram project and Rs 14 crore for serving food to the people, who visited the project. He alleged the TDP government had presented the Polavaram construction old estimation details and grossly ignored the R&R package to the displaced families.

He alleged the Opposition TDP is levelling false allegations against the government on change of dam height stating that the height will be reduced. Jagan made it clear that the state government would give priority for R&R package and would complete the project. He assured the House that Polavaram water would be released to kharif crop in 2022 at any cost. He reminded that important permissions for construction of Polavaram were obtained from the Union government during the government of Dr Y S Rajasekhar Reddy.