The State government is all set to submit revised estimates for the Polavaram irrigation project to the Central government at a review meeting to be held in New Delhi on April 24, according to Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu.
“The NABARD has to release ₹3,300 crore for the work that has already been completed, of which ₹1,370 crore will be released in the next couple of days,” he said. He was addressing the media here on Monday after inspecting the project site and convening a review meet with the officials and elected representatives. Expressing satisfaction over the pace of the work, Mr. Naidu said an additional burden of ₹21 crore per day would be incurred if the project was delayed. “So far, we have spent ₹11,000 crore and there is a need to revise the project cost. We have prepared the revised estimates for the project and the relief and rehabilitation,” he said.
The Chief Minister said 38% of the 10.55 crore cubic metres of the earth work and 13.79 lakh cubic metres of the cement concrete work had to be completed. The construction of three of the 48 gates had been completed and the brick foundation was completed for two more gates. “It is estimated that 23,000 metric tonnes of iron is required for fabricating the gates, of which we have procured 1,200 metric tonnes so far.”
Diaphragm wall
On diaphragm wall, Mr. Naidu said a height of 40 metres would be built in May and another 35 metres and 18 metres in June-July and August respectively. Making it clear that there was no loss to Odisha and Chattisgarh due to the project, he alleged that a few sections were trying to create hurdles to the project by filing cases.
“We are offering the best relief and rehabilitation package to the evacuees by strictly following the guidelines issued by the Central government. We have provided employment to 500 local youth at the project site by offering them free training in the trades of their choice ,” he said. Officials and elected representatives were present.
