Nagavali flood banks works at snail’s pace

Srikakulam: Construction of flood banks on either side of Nagavali river in Vizianagaram and Srikakulam districts has been going on at a snail’s pace for the past 10 years. In 2005 and 2006, heavy floods occurred in Nagavali river and caused a huge damage.

To prevent it, the then Congress government had initiated flood banks. In 2008, works were executed at an estimated cost of Rs 61.45 crore for the construction of flood banks for 51.88 km (earth wall), safety concrete wall for 3.185 km, 11 water regulators and 53 groeyns.

For the past 10 years only 17.29 km flood wall was completed which is one third of the total distance as its total length is 51.88 km. Safety concrete wall works are going on in Srikakulam city. Out of 11 regulators, only six were completed so far and about 10 groeyns works are yet to be finished.

According to the agreement, contract period ended after three years of its execution in 2011, but period enhanced three times. Finally, allowed period for works is June 18, 2018 but it is impossible to complete the works.

For flood bank (earth wall) till land acquisition is going on and final rate for lands was not fixed as a result works were not yet started in Burja, Palakonda, Ponduru and other mandals through which the river is flowing.

“We are issuing notices to contracting company for completion of flood banks and other works and they are delaying works due to various reasons”, executive engineer  of special constructions D Pradeep Kumar explained to The Hans India. 

“I directed engineers to cancel contract by issuing notice after June 18 as contract period ends on that day”, District Collector K Dhanunjaya Reddy told this newspaper.