Naidu sets June-end deadline for Veligonda Stage-I works

Vijayawada: Chief minister Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday set a June-end deadline for completion of Veligonda Stage-I works and directed officials to draw up a comprehensive action plan for utilisation of Godavari waters after completion of the Polavaram project.Reviewing the progress of major irrigation projects at the camp office with water resources department officials, Naidu said water released through the right and left main canals of Polavaram should be efficiently distributed to reservoirs and tanks to meet irrigation and other requirements.The review covered Polavaram, Veligonda, Handri-Neeva Sujala Sravanthi, Polavaram-Nallamala Sagar link, Chintalapudi Lift Irrigation Scheme, Varikapudiselu and North Andhra projects, apart from groundwater augmentation initiatives including Jaladhara and Jal Harathi programmes.The chief minister further instructed officials to accelerate works on North Andhra irrigation projects such as Tharakarama, Mahendratanaya, Thotapalli Barrage, Maddulavalasa, Janjavathi and Hiramandalam Lift schemes. He fixed deadlines for river interlinking works, setting Dec for the Vamsadhara-Nagavali link and July for the Nagavali-Champavathi link. As the legal issues were cleared, Naidu directed officials to float tenders at the earliest for the Neradi Barrage on the Vamsadhara river in Srikakulam district.Proposing development of the Polavaram project as a major tourist destination, Naidu suggested plans for hotels, shopping areas and beautification of surrounding areas. He asked officials to explore boating facilities from Polavaram to Papikondalu and Bhadrachalam, along with water-, rock-, forest- and sports-based attractions.The officials informed the chief minister that the project cost was estimated at Rs 2,042 crore. They also reported that 52 TMC of Srisailam backwaters were diverted to Rayalaseema through the Malyala Lift.