The dilapidated condition of several old bridges across the Nagarjunasagar Project (NSP) left canal in Khammam division and alleged poor quality of NSP canal modernisation works in Kusumanchi mandal, came into focus during the visit of Irrigation Minister T. Harish Rao to the district on Tuesday.
Mr. Harish Rao inspected the canal modernisation works at several villages in Kusumanchi, Nelakondapalli, Mudigonda and various other mandals as part of his whirlwind tour of the district.
He laid foundation for a new bridge proposed across the NSP left canal at Pallegudem in Khammam rural mandal at a cost of Rs. 2.70 crore.
He visited the historical Lakkaram tank in Khammam and made an on the spot assessment of the ongoing works aimed at restoring the tank to its original state.
Minister for Roads & Buildings T. Nageshwara Rao, MLC P. Sudhakar Reddy and others were present.
Farmers and elected representatives of the local bodies of several villages apprised the Irrigation Minister of the pathetic condition of several old bridges constructed across the NSP left canal spanning over 110 km in the district during 1973-75.
A section of villagers of Perikasingaram in Kusumanchi mandal, complained that the works carried out by the contractors as part of the NSP canal modernisation project were of poor quality.
A group of villagers of Rajeshwarapuram in Nelakondapalli mandal explained the hardships being faced by them due to the dilapidated old bridge connecting their village with JK Palli.
A section of farmers of Chennaram and its adjoining villages sought concrete lining of the Palair old canal.
Works sanctioned
Speaking at a meeting held at Pallegudem later, Mr. Harish Rao said works worth Rs. 593 crore were sanctioned to the district under the NSP canal modernisation project over seven-and-a-half years ago.
Of this, only works worth Rs.330 crore have been taken up so far. The State government was determined to ensure expeditious completion of the NSP canal modernisation works in adherence to the prescribed quality standards for harnessing the full irrigation potential of the NSP, he asserted.
A detailed inquiry would be conducted into the allegations of irregularities in the NSP canal works, he said.
The Minister directed the NSP officials to ensure repairs to the old bridges across the NSP left canal in the district.
He flayed YSR Congress party president Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy for opposing the Palamuru lift irrigation scheme.
The YSRC is acting against the interests of the farmers of Telangana State, Mr. Harish Rao charged.
Source: The Hindu