The Hindu : National : Govt fixes deadlines to complete Hundri-Niva project

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Wednesday, Aug 29, 2007
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Govt fixes deadlines to complete Hundri-Niva project

M. Malleswara Rao Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD: The Government has pulled up engineers and contractors for delay so for in executing the various works of the Handri-Niva Srujala Sravanthi (HNSS) project Phase I. It asked them to show results or face punishment.

As for the original schedule of the Jalayagnam programme, the HNSSS Phase I should have provided irrigation benefit to the planned ayacut by June last. The snail-pace at which the works are being implemented now due to various reasons has deprived the farmers of the intended benefit for this year.

The delay is mostly noticed in erection of lifts consisting of pumps and motors, and construction of electrical sub-stations by the AP Transco. Major Irrigation Minister P. Lakshmaiah, who reviewed the progress of works at a meeting at the Secretariat with engineers, contractors, third party agencies, and Railway/power officials fixed June 2008 as the “final deadline” for completing the all works of the Phase I and providing irrigation to the fields.

He, however, noted with satisfaction that 9,746 out of 12,030 acres of land identified for the project, had been acquired already. He asked the officials to expedite the acquisition of the rest of the land by offering rehabilitation and resettlement benefits to the displaced at the level prescribed by the present policy. He noted that while the project required nine 220-KV sub-stations and one 132-KV sub-stations, tenders had been called for four.

Available information shows that the Phase I cost has been upwardly revised to Rs 1,475 crores. Out of this, nearly 200 crores had already been paid to the power utilities to construct the sub-stations.

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