Centre approved takeover of works by Navayuga: CM

-    Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu says the completion of the multi-purpose project will take another two years
-    Urges Centre to release Rs 3,000 crore spent by the State government on the project
-    Rejects Oppn demand for release of white paper on Polavaram Project works
-    Points out that the State govt has been releasing details of the works executed every Monday

Amaravati: Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said the Union government has agreed to the proposal of Navayuga Engineering Company taking over Polavaram works. 

Naidu said it would take two years for completion of the project.

Speaking at the Telugu Desam Party workshop at his residence at Undavalli on Sunday, the Chief Minister explained issues related to Polavaram Project to party leaders. 

He said the State government could not achieve success in its efforts to release water from Polavaram through gravity by 2018 as Secretary of Union Water Resources department blocked the tender process.

“I told the Union government that I have no objection to any firm taking over execution of Polavaram works. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari wanted us to entrust the project works to a contractor who is willing to take up the works at 2010-11 price level. Navayuga has come forward now and the Union government approved the proposal. The escrow account will be opened in two days for transaction process,” he said. 

Explaining the expenditure of the project, he urged the Union government to release dues of around Rs 3,000 crore that were spent by the State government.

But, Naidu said, due to this process (change of project contractor), one season was wasted and it would take two years to complete the project. He said that 76% of earth work, 35% head works, 72% of spillway and other works have been completed so far and upstream cofferdam works would be started.

Rejecting the demands of opposition parties on release of white paper on Polavaram works, he said the progress of works was being revealed every Monday and no need to release any white paper.

Naidu also said the government was working to create Mahasangamam by linking Godavari-Penna, Nagavali-Vamsadhara and other rivers. “Even all the tributaries will also be linked along with main rivers. As a result, a Mahasangamam will be created. We have already created Pavitrasangamam by lining Krishna and Godavari,” he pointed out.

The Chief Minister said the government was also working on providing drinking water to every home by spending Rs 22,000 crore in the next three years.