The mega Polavaram irrigation project on the Godavari - declared a national project in AP Bifurcation Act 2014 - has become a source of friction between the ruling Telugu Desam Party and its ally at the State and central levels, the BJP. Apart from the row over regarding special category status to the State, Polavaram project is also placing a great strain on the relationship between the two allies, as the leaders of the two parties are speaking in different ways about the project.

On Thursday, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu reviewed the progress of the project in Vijayawada and stated that the State Government had so far spent Rs 1,800 crore on the project, of which only Rs 100 crore had been reimbursed. According to the stipulations, the Union Government would have to bear 90 per cent of the project cost, as it had been declared a national project. The amount spent by the State Government would have to be reimbursed.

The Chief Minister said that for completing the first phase of the mega irrigation project by 2018 as promised, at least Rs 300 crore every month would have to be spent, but the assistance was not coming enough from the Centre. He also expressed dissatisfaction with the Centre for suggesting that the required funds be borrowed from the NABARD, without relaxing the norms. He was sceptical whether the Centre would grant the required funds in time for the completion of the project.

BJP leader's version

However, K. Haribabu, the president of the State unit of the BJP and the member of the Lok Sabha from Visakhapatnam, said at a press meet here on Friday that the Union Government would provide the required funds for the completion of the first phase of the project by 2018. He said 90 per cent of the project cost would be borne by the Centre in accordance with the norms. However, he did not specify how and in which manner the funds would be released.

#It is estimated that at least Rs 3,000-4,000 crores would have to be spent during the current financial year on the project.

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