Jagan puts Centre on notice, seeks Rs 2,033 Cr for Polavaram project

During the review meeting here, the officials informed Jagan that the Centre has to reimburse over Rs 2,033 crore for the Polavaram project. Officials said work on the upper cofferdam along with Gap3 concrete dam has been completed and water can be drawn to canals by next Kharif.

The Chief Minister instructed the authorities to talk to the Centre and take appropriate steps to ensure that the expenditure incurred by the state government on the Polavaram project is reimbursed.

Officials assured to complete lower cofferdam works by November. Officials said works on the Earth Come Rockfill Dam (ECRF) soon. Jagan also directed the authorities to take immediate action to repair irrigation canals damaged due to Cyclone Gulab.

Reviewing other irrigation projects, the Chief Minister directed the officials to speed up the construction of a second tunnel of the Veligonda. He instructed the officers to take appropriate steps for the construction of the Neredi barrage. He urged them to talk to the Odisha government in this regard.

Officials said phase-2 work of Vamsadhara is expected to be completed by May 2022. Jagan asked them to make it operational within the stipulated time.

The authorities informed that steps are being taken to provide water under the Thotapalli barrage by the end of the coming Kharif. Jagan asked them to expedite the construction of regulator in Godavari and Krishna deltas at Kolleru on priority. He urged them to expand the Tandava project and other barrages on Krishna river.

Officials stated tenders have been invited for the construction of the Tandava project. They informed that Nellore barrage work is complete and ready for inauguration in November. Significant progress has been made in the construction of the Owk Tunnel. It will be completed by August next year.