WADINEPALLI (Nalgonda dt.): Overcoming all obstacles — threats of violence by Telangana protagonists and naxalites, agitations by displaced persons and, most importantly, delays in clearances from the Centre — the Pulichintala project is well on its way to becoming a reality.

The dream project of Dr. K. L. Rao to conserve the floodwaters of the Krishna for the 13.5 lakh-acre Krishna delta has taken concrete shape at last, literally. The riverbed and the banks of the Krishna near this desolate village are abuzz with activity.

Orders from supervisors, the sound of crushers making chips for the concrete mixer, which raise a cloud of dust, the blare of horns by a variety of vehicles and roar of bulldozers and compressors can shut out normal conservation. The scene is vastly different today from the one two years ago when none could venture into this naxalite hotbed where Congress MLAs had once opposed the project, destroyed boats, machinery and documents as investigation work was taken up.

Re-launched amid fears and threats ten months ago after a break following a High Court directive insisting on environment clearance, the work has touched a feverish pitch.

A coffer dam has been raised to divert water towards the hillside, the stretch between the left bank and the middle of the river excavated fully and nine of the 33 blocks of the dam constructed up to a height of six metres.

A 100-strong contingent of the anti-naxalite police force, Greyhounds, has been posted at the site along with living quarters for their families to repulse any extremist attack.

Engineers upbeat

The 355-metre-long earthen dam has been raised to a height of three feet.

The 1,289-metre-long solid structure, including its earthen part, will reach a height of 36 metres on completion.

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