VIJAYAWADA: Seeking speedy approval of Detailed Project Report-II (DPR-II) of Polavaram Project, officials from the State Water Resources Department met the officials of Central Water Commission (CWC) in New Delhi on Friday. Another meeting is likely to be held on November 12 to take the discussions forward.
According to reports, State Water Resources Secretary Shashi Bhushan Kumar along with Engineer-in-Chief M Venkateswara Rao and other officials clarified the queries raised by the CWC regarding the drastic cost escalation in land acquisition, rehabilitation and resettlement. The officials sought the reimbursement of the funds spent by the government at the earliest. It may be noted the department said the Centre has to reimburse close to Rs 3,100 crore spent by the State government on the project.
It was learnt the officials from the State and CWC would meet once again in the week following Diwali. The officials expect that after the meeting on November 12, the CWC would forward the DPR-2 to the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) for approval.