Vamsadhara-Nagavali linking likely by Dec

Amaravati: Aiming at interlinking of rivers in the second phase in the State, the State government planned to connect Vamsadhara with Nagavali by the end of December. The works related to stage 2 of phase 2 of Vamsadhara-Nagavali interlinking has commenced. This is going to be the second such interlinking of rivers in the State, as Godavari and Krishna rivers have already been interlinked.

Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu asked officials to complete all works related to interlinking of these two rivers as early as possible. He held a review meeting on the progress of Polavaram Project at the Secretariat on Monday. He said that the officials should complete Polavaram Project works within next 24 weeks. 

So far, 59 per cent of Polavaram works have been completed, the officials explained to the Chief Minister. According to the officials, Gandikota Reservoir and Nellore Barrage will be inaugurated on October 15 and Sangam Barrage on October 30. Mallemadugu, Balaji, Venugopala Sagar reservoirs, Somasila, Swarnamukhi, Erram Chinnapoli Reddy Korisapadu lift irrigation schemes will be completed by the end of December this year, they said.

Mahendratanaya reservoir will be completed by January next year. By January 2019, water will be provided to western parts in Kurnool district. Chintalapudi lift irrigation scheme will be completed by February end and HNSS main canal first phase and Mid Pennar South Canal renovation works by March end.

Galeru Nagari Sujala Sravanti phase-2 water will be given to Kadapa by March end. The Veligonda head regulator and Veligonda tunnel first phase will be completed by January 15 and by the end of May the second phase of tunnel will be constructed. Meanwhile, Chandrababu Naidu said that there was no much progress in Polavaram project works when compared with last week. Stressing the need for completion of works within 24 weeks, he asked officials to speed up the works related to spillway and radial gates.

He directed officials to complete the land acquisition, rehabilitation and resettlement by the end of December. More than 82 per cent of works are pending related to construction of houses to Polavaram affected people, Naidu pointed out. He asked the officials to complete construction of houses by November or December.