AP Water Resources Minister Nimmala Ramanaidu has requested the Union Jala Sakthi Minister CR Patil to release Rs.12,157.53 crores immediately for the speedy completion of the construction works of the state’s `life line’ Polavaram project. On Monday in Delhi, he met Patil along with Union Ministers Rammohan Naidu and Bhupathiraju Srinivasa Varma.
He also sought clarity from the center on the construction of a new diaphragm wall, as the Jal Sakthi ministry decided to construct a new one. Whether it will be assigned to the contracting agency, which built the wall earlier or a new one to be appointed calling fresh tenders? he asked.
He appealed for funds for land acquisition, which is the most important part of the construction of the project. He said that Rs.12,157.53 crores are sanctioned first, out of which Rs.8,000 crores will be provided for relief and rehabilitation to the displaced people within the 41.15 meter contour in the first phase.
He reminded that this national project is being constructed by the state on behalf of the centre. Land dwellers are also important in the construction of the project. Every time there is a flood, the low-lying areas are flooded. He said that in order to solve this flooding problem, it is necessary to pay compensation to the displaced people and move them to rehabilitation centers.
He expressed his gratitude for the cooperation of the Center for the construction of the project. He asked for cooperation in the future to complete it quickly. Ramanaidu invited Patil to visit Polavaram.
Meanwhile, Vijayawada MP Keshineni Shivanath (Chinni) appealed to the central government to release adequate funds to complete the construction of the Polavaram project, which is a source of livelihood for lakhs of farmers. This project is vital for the future development of the state.
He said that his Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu is taking decisive steps to bring Polavaram back into the activity under mission mode. He spoke on this project under Rule 377 in the Lok Sabha on Monday. He said that six states will benefit if the construction of Polavaram is completed.
He said that there was a huge delay in the construction works during the previous government. In the last five years, only 3.84 percent of the civil works and 3.89 percent of the land acquisition works were done.
During the tenure of the TDP government between 2014-19, he recalled 71.93 percent of the civil works and 18.66 percent of land acquisition and rehabilitation were completed.