Orissa took up projects without CWC permission: minister

Hyderabad, Mar 27 (UNI) Andhra Pradesh Major and Medium Irrigation Minister Mr Ponnala Lakshmaiah today said in the state assembly that the Orissa government has taken up the Upper and Lower Vamsadhara projects at a cost of Rs 9 crore, without obtaining permission from the Central Water Commission.

In a written reply to a question by TDP member K Kala Venkata Rao of the TDP, the Minister said while the State government had taken up the construction works of Neredu Reservoir of Vamsadhara Phase-II project, the Orissa government had taken up the two projects at a high level.

On Neradi Reservoir, he said proposals of Phase II of Stage II of Vamsadhara project were formulated by constructing a side channel near Katragadda village of Bhamini Mandal of Srikakulam district, 2.3 km upstream of the proposed Neradi Barrage.

He said it was proposed to excavate flood flow channel of 34 km length, duly connecting the Hiramandalam Reservoir of 19.05 tmc capacity, which supplies water to the Right Main Canal, High Level Canal, and supplements Left Main Canal.

He said as getting the clearances from Orissa government was time consuming, it was proposed to create an ayacut of 2.55 lakh acres.

He said administrative approval of Rs 933.80 crore was accorded for the scheme. The entire scheme was taken up in three packages.

Works were allotted to reputed agencies under EPC-Turnkey system.

The work was in progress.

UNI JRK VV AD DS1555