Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu determined to meet Polavaram deadline

VIJAYAWADA: On a day when YSRC leaders and Jana Sena chief Pawan Kalyan visited the Polavaram project site, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu alleged that the YSRC has no clarity on the project and is creating hurdles by approaching courts and instigating farmers against land acquisition. “While the Jana Sena chief is thinking of completing the project, the YSRC is trying to thwart the works,’’ Naidu said.

Wondering why the opposition parties want a white paper on the project even as the State government is coming out with details almost every day, he observed that there will be no use of taking an all-party delegation to New Delhi as the opposition parties have their own agenda and ulterior motives.

“If they (opposition parties) have a positive attitude, I don’t have any objection to take them to Delhi. But not for creating a fresh controversy,’’ Naidu said.

Speaking to newsmen here on Thursday after returning from South Korea, the Chief Minister said that people of the State are anxiously waiting for completion of the project and the government will put all efforts to complete the project on time. Admitting that the works of the Polavaram project is going on at a snail’s pace for the last three months, he, said that the contractor was responsible for the delay, not the Centre.

Stating that Union Water Resources Minister Nitin Gadkari assured cooperation for completion of the project on time, the CM said the contractor is quoting a rate that is 14 per cent less than the cost of the project. Hence, the company is facing difficulties with bankers and the project is getting delayed. “However, I will discuss with the three-member committee appointed by the Centre and will take necessary steps for expediting works,” the CM said.

‘People being misled’

Eluru: YSRC party MLAs and MPs hit out at CM N Chandrababu Naidu and his leaders for ‘misleading the people’ on the Polavaram project. A YSRC delegation visited the project site on Thursday and told the press that work is going at a snail’s pace and at this rate, meeting the 2018 deadline is not possible. 

YSRC MP writes to Centre

Vijayawada: YSRC party chief YS Jagan Mohan Reddy took a dig at  Pawan Kalyan over his ongoing tour of the state and his comments. Jagan described Pawan as a part-time politician and said he lacks knowledge about the Polavaram issue. YSRC MP Vijaya Sai Reddy sent a letter to Nitin Gadkari to take over the project.