Jagan reviews irrigation projects in Andhra Pradesh

Officials told the Chief Minister that 91 per cent of spillway concrete works were completed on the Polavaram project and the remaining works will be completed by 15 June. They said 42 radial gates have been erected and the remaining six will be completed soon and added that the remaining 14 hydraulic cylinders will arrive from Germany soon.

The officials said they have lifted all the gates to release upcoming flood water. They said the works of spill channel will reach safe stage by May end. The gaps in upper coffer dam were closed and difficult works regarding it are also completed, they told Jagan. The Chief Minister directed the officials to expedite the works related to the lower coffer dam.

Regarding the payment of Polavaram bills by the Central government, Jagan said around Rs. 16,000 crore bills are pending at various phases. He said it is not appropriate to have bills pending at the Center regarding expenditure incurred by the state government and directed the officials to focus on getting it reimbursed. He said the officials have estimated that at least Rs. 1,400 crore will have to be spent in the next three months. Jagan directed the officials to go to Delhi and ensure the pending bills get cleared.

The Chief Minister directed the officials to focus on constructing Naredi barrage on Vamsadhara river and consider it as a priority project. Meanwhile, the officials informed Jagan that the construction of Nellore barrage will be completed by 31 June and that 84 per cent of works related to Sangam barrage is complete. The officials provided detailed information regarding work on Tunnel 1 of Veligonda project and Vamsadhara Stage 2 and Phase -2 works.

The Chief Minister also reviewed pending works of Thotapalli barrage, Tarakarama Theertha Sagaram reservoir works, Mahendrathanaya offshore reservoir, Rayalaseema drought mitigation projects, AP Godavari Krishna Salinity Mitigation‌ and Water security projects, Palnadu drought mitigation projects, and Uttaranchal Sujala Sravanti projects. The officials said a special purpose vehicle has been set up for Rayalaseema Drought Mitigation project and added that the Power Finance Corporation has agreed to give Rs. 12,056 crore for the project.

Water resources minister Dr. P. Anil Kumar, chief secretary Adityanath Das, water resources secretary J. Syamala Rao, finance principal secretary S.S Rawath, irrigation ENC C. Narayana Reddy, and other officials were present.