The first phase of the Veligonda project, designed to provide Krishna water to the parched parts of Prakasam district, would be completed by February 2019, overcoming all technical problems, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu asserted on Friday.
Speaking after recommencing tunnel drilling work by a new contractor at Kothuru village near Dornala, Mr. Naidu said: “Even if the level plummets in the Srisailam reservoir, lifts will be arranged to ensure water to the drought-prone parts in the district.”
Water would flow from the second tunnel also by the next cropping season, he said, adding that as the one who had laid the stone for the project, he would ensure its completion as well.
Mr. Naidu, who had earlier promised to complete the first phase by Sankranti in January, attributed the delay to technical problems. The same had been rectified and tunnel drilling work would be speeded up, he said, warning that the contracting agencies for the seven packages of works would be hauled up for any further delay.
The CM said despite the Centre’s ‘indifference,’ he was doing everything possible to put the State on the path of accelerated growth.
Reiterating his vision of linking all rivers in the State, he said 75 tmcft Godavari water had been transferred to the Krishna basin through the Pattiseema lift irrigation scheme during kharif and the water saved provided to drought-prone areas in the upstream from the Srisailam reservoir.
‘Liberal compensation’
Allaying the fears of people who would be displaced by the project, he said a liberal compensation would be provided to them. Nuclear families which had not been covered hitherto as they were part of undivided families earlier, would also be provided compensation, he added.
He also promised to take up the Ramayapatnam sea port project soon to spur port-based development in Prakasam district and ground early the National Investment and Manufacturing Zone (NIMZ) at Chandrasekharapuram. A paper mill would come up in the district soon, he added.
