3-day Jalasiriki Haarati from September 6

Amaravati: Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu announced that ‘Jalasiriki Haarati’ programme would be held for three days from September 6 across the State, as a tribute to nature.

Reviewing the progress of Polavaram works at Secretariat, here on Monday, he said that the programme was conceived in an effort to renew a connection between people and nature and sensitise them. Polavaram Project Authority (PPA), which held a meeting on August 24 to discuss the progress on the design, construction and other aspects submitted the reports to the Chief Minister during the 38th virtual inspection of Polavaram.

The officials briefed the Chief Minister that 2.5 lakh cubic metres of earthwork was excavated and 21,226 cubic metres of concrete was laid for the spillway and stilling basin during the last week. 15 arm girders and all skin plates of the radial gates were fabricated, they said. Out of a total 34.04 lakh cubic metres, 31.62 lakh cubic metres of concrete work is remaining. Although this week has achieved the highest weekly standard, there will be a shortfall compared to the previous month. While August’s cumulative has been 57,084 cubic metres, July had a cumulative total of 78,860 cubic metres.

The Chief Minister insisted that there needs to be a detailed action plan to achieve the target. “While 3,050 cubic metres per day is a good average, it must increase to 4,000 to 5,000 cubic metres per day. Even if it requires more budgeting, work on Polavaram must speed up,” he directed.

The officials told that the order for hydraulic cylinders with the capacity of 200 metric tonnes has been placed by Transstroy. The aggregate cooling plant will be completed by September 15 and the jet grouting will commence on October 1 and be completed by the end of April, they informed.