Pending irrigation projects to get priority, says AP minister

Putting irrigation projects on priority, Andhra Pradesh Irrigation Minister Devineni Umamaheswara Rao said that the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) would expedite completion of pending projects to irrigate farms in the state.
Talking to reporters here on Friday after a review meeting on pending irrigation projects in North Andhra with political leaders and officials of Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram and Srikakulam districts, Umamaheswara Rao said that the Polavaram multipurpose project would be constructed and dedicated to the nation within four years.
Rao said that the TDP would complete all major and medium irrigation projects with funds from both union and state governments.
It is estimated that about Rs 2,000 crore is required to complete 13 major and medium irrigation projects in North Andhra.

The TDP is also committed to complete the Uttarandhra Sujala Sravanthi project to cater the needs of North Andhra people, he said.
He alleged that the Congress failed to complete pending irrigation projects and looted crores of rupees of public money in the name of Jalayagnam, Polavaram and few other irrigation projects, adding that several irregularities took place in the awarding of contracts for many irrigation projects during the last ten years.
He said that the TDP would review the status of all pending irrigation projects and also will release a white paper on irrigation projects, pending projects and few others taken up during Congress rule on June 14.

Replying to a query about hurdles in completing the Polavaram project, Rao said that the government would leave no stone unturned to implement the rehabilitation measures effectively and ensure that no tribal suffers.