The Hindu Business Line : Godavari projects issue: AP Govt to send team to Maharashtra

THE Andhra Pradesh Government has decided to send a high-level team to discuss with the Maharashtra Government the problems relating to `illegal' constructions coming up on river Godavari.

Disclosing this to the media, the State Minister for Major Irrigation, Mr Ponnala Lakshmaiah, said a team of officials led by the Irrigation Secretary, Mr Suresh Chandra, would be deputed for talks with Maharashtra Government in a couple of days.

Others in the team include the Chief Engineer of Inter State Water Resources and Commissioner of Godavari Basin Authority.

Earlier during the day, the Chief Minister, Dr Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, reviewed irrigation projects coming up in the State with the Minister for Major Irrigation and senior officials of the Ministry.

Making a power point presentation, the Irrigation Principal Secretary, Mr C.V.S.K. Sarma, explained the progress of 35 projects in land acquisition, clearances, packages as well as the pace of works.

The Minister to newspersons that the projects planned to be completed in a period of two years would be completed as per schedule. These include Tadipudi, Pushkaram, Telugu Ganga, Somasila, J. Chokkarao Lift Irrigation Project, Alisagar and Gupta.

According to the Minister, the irrigation works worth Rs 38 crore in Tadipudi project were completed. Out of the works of Pushkaram projects costing Rs 209 crore, the canal of 30km length costing Rs 100 crore was completed. The works of Chokkarao Left Irrigation project worth Rs 250 crore were completed by April-end and water would be released by December-end from the project.

The Minister said 96 per cent of works of modernisation of KC Canal were completed and the balance works would be completed before the start of the monsoon. Similarly, water would be released to 5,000 acres from Janjhavathi Project before the monsoon. For Polavaram Projects, 16 foreign companies have come forward and tenders would be floated in a week's time, he said.

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister would lay foundation to Mylavaram-Pulivendula branch canal and Gandikota Lift Irrigation Project on May 23 and 24, the Minister said.

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