Assembly Speaker Kodela Siva Prasada Rao has said that 57.41% work of the Polavaram multi-purpose irrigation project has been completed, which includes 44.23% head works, 33.7% concrete works in head works and 61.75% works in erecting gates.
Dr. Kodela gave a written reply to K.V.P. Ramachandra Rao, MP, who had written to him seeking a White Paper on the Polavaram project following a visit by the farmers from Narsaraopet and Sattenapalli constituencies on July 31, 2018.
The MP had also questioned a statement made reportedly by the Speaker that only 2% work had been completed relating to the Polavaram project during 1941-2014 and also said that it was unfortunate that the A.P. government was trying to spread misleading information about the national project through the office of Speaker.
In a strong rebuttal, Dr. Siva Prasada Rao said it was a fact that 57% of work was completed at Polavaram by July 31, 2018.
Justifies remarks
“K.V.P. quoted me as saying that just 2 per cent of work has been completed before the year 2014. According to annexure submitted by him, tenders were finalized for earth work and spill way work in July 2012 which means no works have been taken up before the year 2012! The spill way works have been given to Madhucon company and earth dam works to Seenaiah company in 2008 with a schedule to complete the earth dam work by the year 2010.
“But none of the works have been executed. Further, GO was issued in February 6, 2013 that just 1.68 per cent of work has been completed relating to Rock Fill Dam, spill way channel,’’ said Dr. Rao.
Out of total estimates of the project at ₹10,151 crore, works have been taken up for just ₹179 crore, he said.
Pattiseema
The Speaker also said that the Pattiseema lift irrigation project was taken up to divert the flood waters of the Godavari and provide water to the Krishna Western Delta. More than 90,000 people visited Polavaram and lauded the State government for taking up the project, he added.