HYDERABAD: Prime Minister Narendra Modi would arrive at Begumpet airport arou-nd 2.20 pm and head straight to Gajwel to launch Mission Bhagiratha. Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao had sought financial assistance from the Centre for the water grid project every time he met Mr Modi in New Delhi.
The Prime Minister was impressed by the scheme and had praised the state government for taking up such a massive scheme by way of a permanent solution to the drinking water problem in state.
“The Chief Minister had sought a Rs 20,000-crore package for the water grid. The Niti Aayog had also recommended Central assistance for the project. In this backdrop, we hope the Prime Minister would make an announcement in Gajwel. The Chief Minister is also hopeful,” said Mr V. Prashanth Reddy, vice-chairman, Telangana Water Grid Corporation.
As of now, the government is relying entirely on loans to fund the '42,853-crore project. Money is being mobilised from the World Bank, Nabard, Hudco and other private lending agencies. This would impose a heavy financial burden on the government as it involves a huge interest pay-out.
If this burden is passed on to consumers, they would have to pay higher water charges. The operational costs for the project are estimated at Rs 1,000 crore per year. Tenders worth Rs 23,330 crore have already been finalised and the state government has spent Rs 3,302 crore so far.
Mr Rao is expected to submit a representation to the Prime Minister seeking early bifurcation of the High Court and funds for development of backward regions as also for Mission Kakatiya and irrigation projects besides seeking national status for the Kaleshwa-ram irrigation project.
