Vijayawada: Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu warned officials of action if there was any intentional delay in achieving the targets set for Polavaram and other irrigation projects. Mr Naidu was interacting with the irrigation officials on the progress of Polavaram and other priority irrigation projects on Monday. The officials submitted reports of works completed during the virtual inspection.This week, 3.22 lakh cubic metres of earth was excavated, and 15,629 cubic metres of concrete was laid for the spillway and stilling basin.
Italian firm Studio de Miranda Associates presented a design for a multi-span cable stayed bridge which will be completed in a year. This bridge will overpass the spill channel with minimum impact and flood control.
Officials also reported that 18 mandals in Anantapur are under stress, due to less rainfall. While some have enough mobile irrigation tanks and groundwater resources, some mandals are facing difficulty in accessing water. Officials were instructed to conduct field visits and take necessary steps to ensure that the villagers can access water easily. The CM asked the officials to mobilise MI tanks and rain guns to provide water to at least 20,000 acres in the district.
Mr Naidu will inaugurate the Purushothapat-nam lift irrigation project on August 15. On being informed about a possible delay by one month in procuring the motors, he requested BHEL, the official supplier, to avoid delay and provide the motors on time.
The CM asked the officials and Muchumarri project in-charge to work towards releasing water on August 1.
The officials reported that one pump has been erected and that the remaining 2 pumps and motors will be fixed by July 29, 2017. They said they were expediting the works.
