Polavaram: Naidu scoffs at delay

Amaravati: Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu fumed over delay in completion of earth works of Polavaram project. He also lambasted irrigation minister Devineni Uma Maheswara Rao and accused him of negligence in monitoring and supervising works.

Participating in review meeting with officials on Polavaram from his office at Velagapudi, here on Tuesday, he said that the reasons put forward by the construction company for delay were not reasonable and acceptable.

“What are the same reasons are shown as cause for delay in every meeting,” the Chief Minister wondered. He instructed the officials to find a solution for avoiding delay in not only earth work but also all works of the project.

Lashing out at representatives of the construction company for delay in the completion of earthworks and coffer dam works, Naidu said that the government should not tolerate anyone for any reason.

When they cited issue of delay in release of funds from bankers, the Chief Minister immediately called bankers and directed them to solve the issue, as the government was ready to release funds without any delay.

He took strong exception over the attitude of construction companies that they were delaying the works even as the government was extending maximum cooperation with the aim of releasing water via gravity by 2018.

Meanwhile, the officials explained to Naidu that the experts committee of Central government, which recently visited the project site, expressed satisfaction over works progress and suggested to speed up works in view of deadline.

“Haritha Tribunal recently visited the dumping yard and a committee will visit the project soon on environmental issues,” they informed.Irrigation minister Devineni Uma Maheswara Rao and other officials were present.