HYDERABAD: Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao on Saturday asked officials to ensure that the Kaleshwaram project work remained on the fast track as Mission Bhagiratha was dependent on water from the dam. Mr Rao asked officials to set up helipads at every project site so they could reach the site quickly and act swiftly in case of any emergency. He directed officials to make arrangements for the safety and security at the barrages. “Set up CCTVs for round-the-clock surveillance and a command control centre at every project site. Construct a guest house at every barrage”, he said.
“If water is supplied from Kaleshwaram to Mid-Manair, through SRSP, Singur, then Mission Bhagiratha can be implemented and you have to keep this in mind”, the CM told officials. He said environmental clearance for Kaleshwaram’s final stage would be obtained soon and asked officials to draw up the design and construction plan in advance. Mr Rao stated that the government had sanctioned Rs 20,000 crore in the Budget besides borrowing another Rs 20,000 crore from banks. There was no dearth of funds, he added.
The CM added, “It is important to bring water from Medigadda to Mid-Manair and we have maximum time of 200 days with us. Utilise the time and complete the work fast.” The CM reviewed the progress of the project with ministers and senior officials at Pragathi Bhavan, after his two-day field trip to project sites, which concluded on Friday. The CM said the government was standing by the affidavit it had filed in the court on the Kaleshwaram issue and only drinking water work is being taken up. He said inter-state agreements on the Kaleshwaram project were over and the CWC has given its approval.
Mr Rao said that forest clearances were also obtained and final environment clearances were expected soon. The CM has reviewed the works pertaining to barrages, canals, tunnels, pump houses, sub stations and switch yards. With the projects taken up by state government on the Godavari river, drinking water and water for agriculture will be provided to seven erstwhile districts inclu-ding Hyderabad, the Chief Minister said. Mr Rao said the forest department should cooperate in completing the projects works like erecting towers and overhead lines among others.
