Vijayawada: The completion of Polavaram project has already turned into a big challenge for the State and Central governments. This issue will play an important factor in the next assembly elections as per internal discussions of TD and BJP.
Already the two governments anticipated the seriousness of the issue and have entered into a blame game indirectly on delay in project completion. The Centre has accorded the national project status for Polavaram project and TD government is also making plans to complete the project by 2019 . But now it looks doubtful from various unsolved issues.
The project cost has jumped from Rs 16,000 crores to Rs 32,000 crores while land acquisition, rehabilitation, environment issues and intra-state disputes has already turned into a big hurdle for both State and Central government. BJP leaders are accusing the State government of delay in work and claiming funds from the Centre without completion of any work. Besides, CM N. Chandrababu Naidu announced his government’s stance to hand over the project to Central government, if they take up the work totally.
It looks like the blame game will continue if the project fails to meet the deadline in the next three years. Experts of irrigation department are saying that the project completion is doubtful. Political pundits say that the project will play an important role in the next assembly elections and impact the ties between two parties.
Actually the proposal for Polavaram project construction was made in 1941 when the entire area was under erstwhile Madras Presidency. L. Venkata Krishna Ayyar, chief engineer of Madras Presidency’s irrigation department conducted the first survey and recommended the project. Right from then, several engineers and chief ministers were involved in Polavaram works but the project has not been completed so far.
Polavaram dam and canals earth work began in 2004. After the state bifurcation, the project got more significance from Centre’s announcement of giving it national project status. But the Centre had given only Rs 200 crore in the last budget. Besides, the State government is claiming nearly Rs 2,000 crores, which were spent on Polavaram works.
On the other hand, the leaders of BJP including its state president K. Hari Babu also raised several objections on expenditure and demanded the State government to speed up the project. But the TD government is demanding the Centre to release funds and expressing displeasure over funds non- allocation while leaders of AP BJP are questioning delay in works.
The two parties are blaming each other said APCC official spokesperson Kolanukonda Sivaji. He said that there was no progress in the project. Irrigation expert and Krishna Delta Rytanga Samakya president Erneni Nagendranath said that the Polavaram project is the responsibility of both governments and the farmers’ right.
Major hurdles in way of project completion
Central and State governments have to clear some major hurdles to complete the Polavaram Project. Nearly two lakhs people living in 300 villages have to be evacuated and legal issues have to be cleared for going ahead with the project.
Added to this is the objections raised by odisha and Chattisgarh states. This will also have to be cleared for smooth completion of the project. Relocating the tribal families and getting environmental clearance are going to be major challenges for the government.
The project coast has already reached more than '30,000 and it is likely to shot up due to delays. According to officials, the government should compensate nearly one-lakh acres under rehabilitation scheme. Moreover, a large number of girijan families have to be shifted from the forest area. Odisha government has raised several objections over submergence of areas and Forest and environment clearances have to be given by the Centre.
Recently CM Chandrababu Naidu had requested the Centre to take over the project and complete the works under its supervision. He also said several challenges are ahead for completing the project, indirectly accepting the burdens.
However, AP irrigation minister Devineni Umamaheswara Rao said the government would complete the project on a priority basis. The government plans to open a special account for the purpose and allot funds, he said.
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