500 tanks likely to be ready by June 15

Mission Kakatiya, one of the flagship programmes taken up by the State government after formation of Telangana, was taken up with much fanfare in Medak district and ambitious targets were set by the authorities. However, the ground reality is different.

As many as 1,869 tanks were taken up in the first phase in Medak district, followed by Mahabubnagar 1,477, Karimanagar 1,198, Warangal 1,173, Nalgonda 952, Khammam 903, Adilabad 790 and Nizamabad 701.

Of the 7,972 tanks identified in the district, 1,869 tanks were scheduled for restoration in the first phase. Estimates were prepared for 1,801 tanks and administration sanction was accorded for1,660 tanks, for works worth Rs. 356.98 crore. Tenders were called for 1,567 tanks, agreements were concluded for 1,289 tanks with contractors and works at 1,122 tanks were already grounded.

According to sources in the Irrigation Department, works in about 150 tanks were completed so far and works such as silt removal and strengthening of bund up to 80 to 90 per cent was completed in 350 tanks.

The deadline for completing the tank works, as decided by the State government, was June 15 as the rainy season is expected to commence by that time. Given the current phase of works, about 500 tanks may be completely ready by the deadline, while works in other tanks may take some more time to get completed.

Delay in signing agreements, non-availability of machinery like proclainer, rollers and rollers with wibromax, compaction machinery are said to be the reasons for Mission Kakatiya works falling behind schedule. Taking up a large number of tanks for restoration added to the existing problems. The contractors were asked to use between eight to ten-tonne rollers for 1,500 cubic metre bunds and two-tonne rollers for less than that.

“Despite taking up large number of tanks, we are ensuring quality and it is being monitored on day-to-day basis. The bills are not being paid without quality check and separate mechanism has been established at the mandal level for this purpose,” S. Surendra, Superintendent Engineer, Irrigation, told The Hindu .

Medak district way behind the target of restoration of 1,869 irrigation tanks taken up in the first phase