Polavaram may spell doom to R’mundry: Expert

Experts warn that Polavaram irrigation project might pose inundation threat to Rajahmundry whenever a flood occurs.

HYDERABAD: Polavaram irrigation project, if constructed with the present design, might pose inundation threat to Rajahmundry whenever a flood occurs, irrigation experts have warned.

Participating in a group discussion on irrigation projects organised by Jana Chaitanya Vedika (JCV) here today, Cherukuri Veeraiah, a retired engineer of the irrigation department, said Rajahmundry might face submergence if the Polavaram dam was built to the present design. ``Though the government is spending hundreds of crores of rupees on the project, there is no safety for nearby villages and hundreds of families have fled their homes,’’ he says.

T Hanumantha Rao, retired engineerin- chief and consultant to UNO, suggested that all irrigation projects under Jalayagnam be built under the Engineering Procurement and Construction (EPC) method. ``Of the estimated Rs 45,000 crore for Jalayagnam, a major part has gone into contractors’ pockets even before the actual work began. Besides, work on many projects came to halt due to the negligence of the contractors and the government,’’ he alleged.

V Lakshmana Reddy, president of Jana Chaitanya Vedika; M Panduranga Rao, retired professor, and others participated in the discussion.

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