Rajahmundry: Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has expressed concern over the delay in the progress of various components of the Polavaram Irrigation Project, in the last two months.

A variety of reasons have been given for this, including inclement weather conditions and strike by the workers. He directed the officials and the representatives of construction agencies to complete the works on a war-footing.

The CM inspected the progress at Polavaram in West Godavari and held a review meeting with the officials and representatives from the construction agencies.

Speaking on the occasion, he fixed a deadline for completion of the project and instructed the authorities to work in that direction.

Accordingly, he asked the authorities to start works pertaining to the fixing of 48 radial gates to the spillway, concrete lining for the spill channel and an iron bridge by the end of October and works on ‘earth-cum-rock-fill’ dam in November.

He laid stress on taking up works related to coffer dam, diaphragm wall and earth works in a planned manner to expedite their execution.

He asked officials to pursue the Central Water Commission in getting an approval for the designs of various components of the project. He also assured that he would meet officials from the concerned ministry during his visit to New Delhi, to get the works done quickly.

He told them to go ahead even if there was a delay in the release of funds from the centre and said that once the funds were released, they could be adjusted to the agencies to clear the dues.

The CM instructed the officials to install 20 more CCTV cameras, in addition to the existing four. He asked the authorities to set up a special command and control centre for the purpose.

He opined that such a facility would enable anyone to inspect the progress of works with ease in virtual reality.

Maintaining that a large number of tribals had lost their habitations due to the Polavaram project, he directed officials to implement relief and rehabilitation as per the guidelines, to ensure that no affected person suffer any injustice. He asked the officials to provide financial relief as per norms, along with all requisite amenities.

Getting back to the project, the CM expressed displeasure in fixing pumps and also on the release of the quantum of water.

Responding, the officials informed the CM that by end of October pumps would be installed to release 2,100 cusecs of water.