Vijayawada: Fund allocation for the Polavaram irrigation project and establishment of a new railway zone for Andhra Pradesh along with environmental issues, including denotification of reserve forest area for the capital city's construction, are now important for the AP government for it to get a nod in the Union government’s forthcoming budget.
The state government had asked the Centre to release Rs 2,000 crore for the Polavaram urgently, a sum that was then spent from the state's funds.
Now, there are no more funds required for the railway zone; only the ministry's approval is needed for its formation, with the state government ready to provide land for it. Environment clearances from the Centre for the capital’s construction are important as the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has put a stay on work on the capital city.
The Centre had allocated only a meagre amount in the last budget for Polavaram. The AP irrigation department submitted all details towards expenditure to the Centre on when the project would be finished under the Central government’s quota. Now the AP government and irrigation department are eagerly waiting for funds to be released in the forthcoming budget. No funds are required for the railway zone; the railway ministry’s decision is important for it. It depends on the efforts of the state government too. CM N. Chandrababu Naidu had requested the railway minister to sanction the new zone formation, an announcement that would boost AP’s image.
Issues related to the new capital are also important, especially since the government is yet to get environment clearances at a time when several cases have been filed with the NGT. Moreover, the government is also waiting for environment clearances for forest lands to be de-notified. Obtaining funds is important in the state's present condition, says analyst Annavarapu Brahmaiah.
