The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Action plan to modernise Krishna delta finalised

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Thursday, Jun 05, 2008
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Action plan to modernise Krishna delta finalised

Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD: After clearing tenders for 12 packages, the government has finalised an action plan to immediately start work on modernisation of the Krishna delta.

Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy will inaugurate the work at Puligadda near Avanigadda in Krishna district on June 6. Announcing this at a press conference here on Wednesday, Major Irrigation Minister P. Lakshmaiah said the 12 packages (out of 31) would cost Rs. 1,533 crore as against the total project outlay of Rs. 4,573 crore.

The other packages would be taken up later and modernisation completed in four years. To facilitate execution of the work, crop holiday would be declared for the second crop in the delta during third and fourth year of the implementation but with the consent of the farmers. Once modernised, the canal and drainage system would be able to stabilise the existing ayacut of 13.08 lakh acres in the Krishna delta and increase its extent, if possible.

Mr. Lakshmaiah disclosed that tenders were in final stage to take up works to strengthen and double-laning of the road on both sides of the Krishna river at a cost of Rs. 243 crore. After double-laning, the left embankment would serve as a short cut for vehicles travelling from Vijayawada to Avanigadda.

The Minister said if everything went well with the plans, a quantity of 2.5 tmcft of water would be stored in the Pulichintala reservoir to serve the kharif crop in the Krishna delta.

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