AP CM reviews works at Purushottapatnam

Thanks farmers for alienating land keeping trust in him

Rajamahendravaram: Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu on Monday visited the site of the Purushottapatnam Lift Irrigation Scheme (PPLIS) and reviewed the progress of the project works. Engineer-in-chief M Venkateshwara Rao briefed the Chief Minister about the works.

The Chief Minister directed the officials to complete the works for the release of water through two pipe lines on August 15 and complete the entire project works by October this year.

Later addressing a press conference, Naidu said the interests of the state is his priority and he cannot compromise in this regard. “Leaders of some political parties are trying to get political mileage by making baseless statements against the ongoing irrigation projects and tarnishing the image of the government,” he said.

“Farmers are giving their fields for the irrigation projects for the development of the state with a trust in me. It is my duty to keep up to their belief by completing the projects in time,” he added.

CPI national leader K Narayana and Lok Satta Party (LSP) national president Jayaprakash Narayan had recently visited the Polavaram project site and complimented the government on the progress of the Polavaram project works.

The Pattiseema Lift Irrigation Scheme (PLIS) and Purushottapatnam Lift Irrigation Scheme (PPLIS) have been taken up as the completion of the Polavaram project would take some time. The cost of the Polavaram project is Rs 17,000 crore and for relief and rehabilitation package it costs Rs 32,000 crore.

He said the two lift schemes were aimed to supply water to the Krishna delta as well as East Godavari and Visakhapatnam districts for cultivation, domestic and industrial needs. Water was supplied to 14 lakh acres in the Krishna delta through the PLIS.

PPLIS was taken up with an estimated cost of Rs 1,638 crore to lift 3,500 cusecs of water from the river Godavari. The water will be sent to the Polavaram Left Main Canal at Gandikota village which is 10 km away from the river. From there, water will flow to the Eleru reservior and from there to Visakhapatnam. As many as 2.15 lakh acres will get water for cultivation.

So far, 41 per cent of works were completed in the first phase and 20 per cent works completed in the second phase of the PPLIS. So far an amount of Rs 733.32 crore was paid as against Rs 1,551 crore. But the administrative sanction was given for Rs 1,638 crore. He thanked farmers for giving their lands to the PPLIS and said they would receive the fruits of the project shortly.

Deputy Chief Minister Nimmakayala Chinna Rajappa, Minister for Water Resources Department Devineni Uma Maheshwara Rao, MP Maganti Murali Mohan, MLA Pendurthi Venkatesh and others were present.