The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Yellampalli project: Ponnala sets deadline

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Thursday, Oct 02, 2008
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Yellampalli project: Ponnala sets deadline

M. Malleswara Rao

PHOTO: P.V. SIVAKUMAR

Taking stock: Minister for Major Irrigation Ponnala Lakshmaiah inspecting the Sripada Yellampalli project in Adilabad district on Wednesday. -

GUDIPET (Adilabad): A day ahead of Telugu Desam president N. Chandrababu Naidu’s visit to Sripada Yellampalli project to highlight the alleged irregularity in cost escalation, Major Irrigation Minister Ponnala Lakshmaiah set out deadlines to officials to complete the various components of work, after reviewing the progress on the banks of the Godavari here.

The Minister went around the semi-finished portions of the project accompanied by Luxettipet legislator N. Diwakar Rao, local leaders and officials, including Aditya Nath Das, secretary, Irrigation ( Telangana). The Yellampalli dam, which has 22 blocks (out of 62) completed up to the crest level, was described by the Minister as an expression given to the aspirations of the people of Telangana who had long fought for this dream project.

Full scale activity

The site is abuzz with the roar of machines, bulldozers and vehicles and high-rise, heavy duty cranes. Work is in full swing, handled by hundreds of engineers and workers who appear unconcerned about the political controversy surrounding the project. The river has been diverted to the left bank to facilitate full-scale activity.

At a review meeting, held amidst tight security in view of the naxalite activity in the area, complaints poured in from the displaced families in 20 villages. The Minister said, he would hold a meeting with Collectors of Karimnagar and Adilabad districts on October 3 in Hyderabad to sort out all issues connected with resettlement and rehabilitation (RR). Mr. Lakshmaiah set March 2009 as the deadline for completing the barrage and the pipeline and achieve full reservoir level by December 2009.

As of now, 61 per cent of the barrage and allied works which form a major portion of the Rs 1,737-crore project, have been completed. Nearly 6 lakh cubic metres of concrete and 1,600 tonnes of steel have gone into the semi-finished shape. Also, 70 per cent of the 125-km pipeline has been laid.

On completion, Yellampalli barrage will support not only its 4.5 lakh acre ayacut but also serve Pranahita-Chevella project taken up to irrigate 12 lakh acres else where in Telangana and supply 30 tmcft of water to Hyderabad.

Finally, Yellampalli will put over 200 tmcft of Godavari water to use in Telangana region.

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