Jalasiriki Haarathi to celebrate projects

Amaravati: Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu announced that a five-day event called ‘Jalasiriki Haarathi’ (tribute to water wealth) would be held this month-end across the state. The programme is aimed at expressing gratitude to the people for their support of the 28 priority projects, and create awareness on the water management efforts.

Highlights:

• The 5-day event will be organised across the state August-end to thank people for their support to 28 priority projects and create awareness on efforts to manage water resources
• Chief Minister reviews Polavaram and progress of 28 projects with district collectors concerned and chief engineers

While conducting weekly review on Polavaram and all irrigation projects at the Secretariat on Monday, the Chief Minister said that everyone should be sensitised about the efforts being made to ensure abundant water resources for drinking and irrigation. He also announced that ‘Vanam-Manam’, to be held in Karthika Maasam and ‘Eruvaka’ must be promoted vigorously as celebration of nature.

“Just like Happy Sundays have taken off in many parts of the state, I want to make sure that there is a regular connect with nature, and a reason for the state to celebrate its glory,” Naidu said.

He also proposed a media tour, engaging the district and state media in a state-wide tour, visiting all 28 projects. He asked the officials to design ideas that appeal to every village, especially students.

The Chief Minister was updated on the Polavaram irrigation project, and reviewed an action taken report on priority projects from each district. On Polavaram project works, officials said that the 1.88 lakh cubic metre earthworks were executed last week and the 17,345 cubic metre of concrete was laid for spill way and stilling basin. Fifteen out of 384 arm girders and the skin plate for one radial gate was fabricated.

By the end of October, fabrication of all arm girders will be completed, the officials told the Chief Minister. More than 3,000 cubic metre excavation took place per day, making the progress of the last week better than earlier week, they explained.

The Chief Minister held a tele-conference with the district collectors concerned on the 28 priority projects, and also spoke to chief engineers (CEs) of the projects. He advised the CEs that data for groundwater, rainfall and soil moisture must be assessed, analysed and be reported in a week, on whether the structures (farm ponds, reservoirs, water table, etc.) can sustain the villages as required.

Regarding Purushottapatnam Lift Irrigation Scheme, officials said two pumps are yet to be started and Stage 2 of the Vamsadhara Project would be completed by January 5, 2018.

The Pogonda reservoir will be completed in October and the Pedapalem, Chinasana and Korisapadu Lift Irrigation Schemes, Adavipalli and Gorakallu reservoirs and Owk tunnel are almost ready for launch, they explained to the Chief Minister. Marala reservoir works would be launched on August 24, they said.

The Chief Minister suggested that the works of Madakasira branch canal be completed by September-end, Nellore-Sangam barrage by October, Gandikota reservoir-Siddhapuram lift scheme works by September first week.

He directed the officials to conduct Jalasiriki Haarathi programme in a grand manner at Sarada river anicut, where works were completed recently. He asked the officials to be vigilant during rains as the pumping scheme works at Kondaveeti Vagu were not completed. He also suggested them to be ready to face floods for Godavari during rainy season.

Isro scientists briefed the Chief Minister on the rain forecast where they said that Guntur, Krishna and Kurnool districts are likely to be affected by heavy rains from August 26. They also forecast good rains in south coastal districts. They said there was an increase of inflow into Srisailam dam and there was a flood threat to Godavari due to heavy rains in Maharashtra.