CPI MLAs urge CM to expedite works on irrigation projects

Hyderabad, Feb 12 (UNI) CPI MLAs of Khammam district today urged Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy to expedite work on Dummugudem Irrigation Project.

MLAs led by party leader Puvvada Nageswara Rao met the Chief Minister and submitted a memorandum urging him to allocate a sum of Rs 1000 crore to commence and complete work on both Indira Sagar and Rajiv Sagar by 2009.

The delegation also requested Dr Reddy to cancel the proposal to construct a tail-pond link canal from Dummugudem to Sagar stating it would be detrimental to the interests of Khammam district.

They also urged him to reconsider issues relating to the height of Polavaram Project and enhancing compensation to evacuees.

Responding to the delegation's request, Dr Reddy said tenders for the Indira Sagar Scheme were finalised and work orders would be issued this week.

For the Rajiv Sagar Scheme, February 28 was fixed as the last date for submitting bids and bidding would be opened on March five.

A sum of Rs 300 crore each had been requested in the budget for 2007-08 for these two projects, he said, adding that the work would begin by Telugu New Year and be completed by 2011.

The Indira Sagar Lift Irrigation scheme, costing Rs 1824 crore, was put forward to irrigate two lakh acre in Khammam, Krishna and West Godavari districts by lifting 16.5 tmcft of water from the Indira Sagar (Polavaram) project.

The Rajiv Sagar Lift Irrigation scheme, at Rs 1681 crore, was envisaged to irrigate two lakh acre in Khammam district by lifting 16.5 tmcft of water from the existing Dummugudem anicut.

UNI