Telangana officials directed to camp on sites to expedite project works

Hyderabad: TS officials will camp at irrigation project sites to ensure speedy completion of the projects. Irrigation minister T. Harish Rao, who reviewed the progress of irrigation projects with officials at Jalasoudha here on Thursday, set a deadline of 18 months to complete Kaleshwaram project (redesigned version of earlier Pranahitha-Chevella project).

These camps will be first set up within 15 days at Medigadda, Sundilla and Annaram barrages, which are part of Kaleshwaram project.

Chief Ministers of TS and Maharashtra, K. Chandrashekar Rao and Devendra Fadnavis are scheduled to sign an agreement on July 15 in Mumbai for construction of inter-state barrages across the River Godavari as part of the Kaleshwaram project.

The camps are being set up to expedite the construction works soon after the CMs sign the accord. Mr Harish Rao told officials that Kaleshwaram project remains the top priority for the CM and asked officials to ensure that deadlines are met.

He warned officials that any negligence in discharging their duties would be dealt with sternly since the TS CM was very particular that the project is completed within 18 months. He directed officials to visit barrage sites and finalise designs within three days and start works within 15 days.

Mr Harish Rao also told officials to complete land acquisition for these barrages at the earliest. He directed officials to launch works for construction of barrages and pump houses simultaneously.

The irrigation minister also spoke to Karimnagar district collector over phone to know the progress of land acquisition and asked him to depute Manthani RDO for land acquisition duties.