The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Satyam crisis not to affect Godavari water project

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Monday, Jan 12, 2009
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Satyam crisis not to affect Godavari water project

J.S. Ifthekhar

Maytas is only a joint venture partner, says HMWSSB chief

L&T and Kirloskar Brothers are the other two partners
Maytas’ 20 p.c. share in project comes to 150 crore

Hyderabad: Even as the Sate government is planning to review all contracts entered into with Maytas Infra, a subsidiary of the scam-tainted Satyam Computer, the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board remains unperturbed about the fate of its prestigious Godavari drinking water scheme.

The Board is confident that the financial fraud will not affect the Godavari project since Maytas is only a joint venture partner of the L&T and Kirloskar Brothers in the Rs. 800 crore package III of the phase I. Even if Maytas contract is cancelled, the project will be taken care of by L&T, the lead partner, it is said.

“It is a collective responsibility. The Satyam swindle will not make any difference,” said G. Asok Kumar, Managing Director, HMWSSB.

The project to augment drinking water supply to the Greater Hyderabad Agglomeration was awarded to Maytas along with L&T and Kirloskar Brothers. The Maytas handle the package III in the Phase I of the project with its share being 20 per cent -- amounting to Rs. 150 crore. “We are not bothered about Maytas link to Satyam as we have entered into agreement with the lead partner, L&T. It is their responsibility to ensure that the project works,” Mr. Kumar said.

The Board had reached the agreement based on the experience of L&T and Kirloskar. “Maytas is only a joint venture partner and even if its contract is cancelled the work will be taken care of by L&T,” said Ch. Gautam Reddy, Director (Projects), HMWSSB.

Rs. 3,375-crore project

The Rs. 3,375 crore Godavari Drinking water scheme aims at bringing 10 tmc of water to the city from Yellampally barrage in phase I and from Pranahita in phase II and III. The phase I work is split into three packages under the engineering, procurement, construction system (EPC).

The package I is being executed by Mega Engineering Infrastructure Ltd, WPIL, Nagarjuna Construction Company and Hindustan Construction Company while the package II is entrusted to Hindustan Construction Company, Mega Engineering Infrastructure, IVRCL land WPIL. Maytas mandate is to execute package III with L&T and Kirloskar.

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