Nimmala Calls For Completion Of Handrineeva, Polavaram LMC By June

Vijayawada: Minister for water resources Nimmala Ramanaidu has called for the completion of Handrineeva and Polavaram Left Main Canal works by June, in line with the deadline set by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu.

The minister held a review meeting on Tuesday with the chief engineers and superintending engineers of the Handrineeva, Polavaram and Veligonda projects, in the presence of engineer-in-chief M. Venkateswara Rao.

Expressing concern over delays in the execution of Handrineeva and Polavaram LMC works, which he had inspected personally, the minister directed officials and executing agencies to expedite completion of the first phase of the Handrineeva project's main canal.

Regarding Polavaram LMC, the minister noted that the works were progressing at a sluggish pace. He directed the contract agencies to deploy all necessary equipment such as dumpers, excavators, rollers, and other machinery immediately. He warned that action would be taken against officials concerned if deadlines were not met.

He further informed that an expert committee would visit the Polavaram project between May 4 and 8, and instructed officials to obtain the necessary designs for the ECRF dam, including gap-1 and gap-2 sections. He also emphasised the need to secure requisite permissions to commence the works.

With regard to the diaphragm wall, the minister said that 217 metres had been completed so far. He called for the buttress dam works to be completed by the end of May to ensure the stability of the upper coffer dam before the onset of the rainy season.

On the Veligonda project, the minister expressed displeasure with the officials and contractors over the prolonged delays. He instructed that tenders be called within 10 days for the feeder canal and retaining wall lining works, and insisted that the project be completed by June 2026.