HYDERABAD: In order to speed up the process of construction of Polavaram Irrigation project, the State government has released an amount of Rs 55 crore to be given under the Relief & Rehabilitation (R&R) package to the people of seven submerging villages of East Godavari district coming under the project area.
According to a GO issued here on Monday, the financial package will be given to Anguluru, Nelakota, P Gonduru, Paragasanipadu, D Ravilanka, Bodigudem and Nagallapalli villages of East Godavari district.
According to Central government, the Polavaram multi-purpose project is likely to displace over 1.88 lakh people across 222 villages and so far, 1,730 persons in six villages have been rehabilitated. An expenditure of Rs 5,575.35 crore was incurred on the project till March 31, 2015. The project cost originally estimated at Rs 10,151 crore now rose to Rs 16,010 crore.
The project is expected to irrigate an area of 2.91 lakh hectares apart from generating 960 MW of power. In addition, 23.44 thousand million cubic feet (TMC) water would be available for domestic and industrial uses while 80 TMC of water would be there for diversion to the Krishna Basin.
The Centre has constituted Polavaram Project Authority (PPA) for the execution of the irrigation project. Centre will fund and execute the project and obtain all the requisite clearances including environmental, forests and rehabilitation.