AP seeks reimbursement of Rs.2,033 crore by Centre towards Polavaram

Visakhapatnam/Vijayawada Andhra Pradesh has sought immediate reimbursement of Rs.2,033 crore towards Polavaram project.

This was disclosed at a review meeting held at Amaravati on Friday by Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy. He directed the officials the officials to expedite efforts to get pending funds from the Centre.

During the review, the officials informed that the Centre has to reimburse over Rs 2,033 crore for the Polavaram project and stated that works on upper cofferdam along with Gap3 concrete dam have been completed, where water can be drawn to canals by next kharif. In regard to these, the Chief Minister instructed the officials to talk to Centre and take appropriate steps to ensure that the expenditure incurred by the State on the Polavaram project is reimbursed from time to time. The officials assured to complete lower cofferdam works by November and begin work on the Earth Come Rockfill Dam (ECRF).

Later, the Chief Minister directed the officials to take immediate action to repair irrigation canals damaged due to Gulab Cyclone and complete the works with priority. Reviewing other irrigation projects, the Chief Minister directed the officials to speed up the construction of a second tunnel of the Veligonda. Further, he instructed the officers to take appropriate steps for construction of Neredi barrage, by having talks with the Odisha.

The informed him that all the phase-2 works of Vamsadhara are expected to be completed by May, 2022, wherein the Chief Minister asked them to make it operational within the stipulated time.

The officials stated that steps are being taken to provide water under the Thotapalli barrage by the end of the coming kharif.

The Chief Minister told the officials to expedite the construction of regulator in Godavari and Krishna deltas at Kolleru on priority and also to focus on expansion of Tandava project and other barrages on Krishna river. Officials stated that tenders have been called for the construction of the Tandava project through reverse tendering method. Besides these, they informed that Nellore barrage works were completed and is ready for inauguration in November.

The review meeting was attended by Minister for Water Resources P Anil Kumar, Chief Secretary Dr Sameer Sharma, Water Resources Secretary J Shyamala Rao, Finance Chief Secretary SS Rawat, Water Resources ENC Narayanareddy, chief engineers of various irrigation projects, representatives of construction companies and other officials.