Minister for Irrigation T. Harish Rao on Monday reiterated that the State Government was giving top priority for completing the pending projects in Mahabubnagar district.
He announced that trial run of the first set of pumps of lift-two and lift-three of Kalwakurthy irrigation project would be taken up in a fortnight’s time.
The Minister held a review meeting on the progress of ongoing and redesigned projects with officials of the Irrigation, revenue, forest and other departments at Mahabubnagar and stated that the trial run of second pump of the lift-two would done in August, third pump in September, fourth in December and firth in March next year. He also reiterated that 1.5 lakh acres each under Kalwakurthy and Nettempadu, 1.4 lakh acres under Bhima and 0.2 lakh acres under Koelsagar would be provided water by July-end. Chief Engineer T. Khagender explained that jungle clearance and removal of other obstructions in distributary canals and field channels of irrigation projects in the district was being done on war-footing. The Minister cautioned the engineers that action would be taken against those who do not perform up to the mark and Executive Engineers and Deputy EEs would be held responsible in case of failure to complete works in time to give water as promised. Criticising the Opposition for spreading misinformation on the status of ongoing projects in the district, Mr. Harish Rao said that only 60 per cent works were completed and payments were made for 90 per cent of the works done. He pointed out that the initial estimated cost of Kalwakurthy was Rs.2,190 crore but it had already crossed Rs.4,600 crore and the Opposition parties were talking based on the amount spent as per the initial estimates. Collector T.K. Sridevi, Engineer-in-Chief C. Muralidhar, Advisor to Government on projects in Palamuru E. Penta Reddy, Officer on Special Duty Sridhar Rao Deshpande and others participated.
