VIJAYAWADA: Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu yet again emphasised the importance of Polavaram and directed the officials to expedite the project works.
Expressing his dissatisfaction over the tardy progress of works pertaining to power plant, left flank of the project during the weekly virtual inspection of the works on Monday, he stressed the need to achieve the targets set every week. Officials were asked to ensure that necessary cement and steel are in place for the project without the need for waiting.
He interacted with Polavaram chief engineer Ramesh, who was at the project site and took stock of the situation. Between March 27 and April 2, as against the target of 7,100 cubic meters of earth works, only 4,109 cubic meters of works could be completed. Diaphragm wall works of another 14 meters were completed.
With regard to spill channel, 7.04 lakh cubic meters of earth works were completed and 73,000 cubic meters of left flank were done. According to officials, as on March 27, 40.24 per cent of works pertaining to spill channel, left flank, approach channel and pilot channel are pending.
The Chief Minister also took stock of the progress of other irrigation projects through video conference with respective engineers and officials. He was apprised of the progress pertaining to Sangam Barrage, Nellore Barrage, Veligonda, HNSS, Vamsadhara and Purushothapatnam among others. The Chief Minister made it clear that he wanted the deadlines for the irrigation projects to be strictly adhered to.
Irrigation department officials were asked to construct 5,000 check dams in the current fiscal and were directed to prepare necessary project reports and plan of action.
They were advised to prepare plans with regard to construction of check dams for next three years. He asked them to identify the place suitable for check dams and advised them to take the help of ISRO for the purpose.