Jagan directs to start works for construction of Varikapudisala irrigation project

Amaravati: Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy directed the officials to take up the construction works of the Varikapudisala project in Palnadu region. He stated that all phases in the irrigation project must be completed in single phase itself, during a review meeting on Irrigation department at his residence at Tadepalli in Guntur district on Thursday.

Stressing the need for effective water management, Chief Minister said that despite financial constraints work on all irrigation projects would be taken ahead and pointed out that reverse tendering will be employed.

Jagan said, though there were floods following heavy rains the water could not be properly utilized and most of it was left into the drain. More acumen should be shown in the utilization of flood waters and minimize its flow into the sea.

Such situations could be averted if we plan that there would be flooding for 30 to 40 days instead of the present convention of 120 days annually. It would be better if we plan for storing and diverting floodwaters with the assumption that floods would be only for a month instead of four months, he told the officials.

This will keep our preparedness in full gear and all projects depending on Krishna flood waters will be stored before they drift into the sea.

We have to ensure transparency in irrigation works and reverse tendering should be employed and all running projects should be completed within four years. If necessary, district wise plans should also be drafted. We have to talk with the Odisha Government if necessary to resolve inter-state issues, he said while reviewing Vamsadhara and other projects involving the two states. He inquired about the status of various projects of the region.

The fruits of Jalayagnam were received and for the first time about 44,000 cusecs of water were drawn from Pothireddypadu Head Regulator, the officials said.

However, water could not be supplied to Rayalaseema in the desired measure due to non completion of river lining works.

He directed the officials to take up works to roll a green cover over Palnadu region of Guntur district. He directed to start works for construction of Varikapudisala project in this region. The previous governments have not taken any care about improving the drinking and irrigation water issue.

A Special Officer should be appointed and relief and rehabilitation works should be carried out for all those affected during the recent floods.

The officials have said that about 600 acres of land is needed for Chinthalapudi lift irrigation works and land acquisition has been a problem. The Chief Minister has asked the officials to ensure that drinking water sources are not polluted due to aquaculture. There should not be any dispute between districts on waterfront, he said and asked the officials to prepare district wise reports on irrigation and priorities should be placed depending on the work needs. He reminded the officials that Water Grids at Uddanam are high on priority.