Govt to take up modernisation of irrigation projects: CM

Hyderabad, Nov 30 (UNI) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy today said the government would take up modernisation of major, medium and minor irrigation projects and canals at the cost of Rs 18,000 crore from April 2008 in the state.

Talking to newspersons, after a review meeting with the officials concerned here, Dr Reddy said the works would be completed in 51 months.

He said Rs 4,573 crore would be allocated for modernisation of Krishna canal, Rs 3,361 crore for Godavari, Rs 4,444 crore for Nagarjuna Sagar project and Rs 1500 crore for Tungabhadra high-level canal.

Stating that the government had decided to bifurcate the major and medium irrigation departments into 'construction wing' and 'regulation, operation and maintenance' wing, he said the bifurcation would help to complete the projects on time.

UNI