Galeru Nagari Sujala Sravanthi scheme works yet to gather pace

Kadapa: The aim of the government in supplying water for agriculture and drinking needs of several villages in Kadapa, Chittoor, and Nellore districts by diverting Krishna river surplus waters from Srisailam Reservoir through Galeru Nagari Sujala Sravanthi (GNSS) scheme, seems to be a distance dream following lack of coordination between contractors and official machinery.

Highlights:

• Officials say works stopped due to no permission from the Forest dept
• Govt to call tenders for 1,2, and 7 packages soon

Following large scale of irregularities taken place in the second phase of GNSS, works were stopped in the middle with the government cancelling several packages and contemplating to call fresh tenders. Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and Irrigation Minister Devineni Umamaheswara Rao during their recent visit in Kadapa district assured the people over early completion of the project but practically failed due to various reasons.

It may be recalled that the state government had started GNSS works in YSR tenure in 2005. According to official sources, the proposed project was designed for providing water to 1.55 lakh acres in Kadapa, 1.03 lakh acres in Chittoor, and 1,500 acres in Nellore district. With an aim to provide water for 35,000 acres in Kadapa district, the government sanctioned Rs 560 crore against total estimated cost of Rs 1,760 crore. In first phase, apart from construction of Gandikota Reservoir, digging of canals, construction of structures taken up with a cost of Rs 360 crore.

Under second package, it was proposed to spend Rs 300 crore for construction of Valmikikonda reservoir and construction of tributary canals meant to provide water for another 10,000 acres in the district.

However, the government records showed that construction related to main canal of GNSS from 0 km to 32.640 km against proposed 24.330 km in the first stage was almost completed except some minor works as the administration could release water for 45,000 acres in Kadapa district.

Following a dispute, the government had kept pending second phase works despite issuing administrative sanction for Rs 2,189.26 crore in 2005. It was proposed to take up the second phase of GNSS under 7 packages. Apart from 1,2, and 3 packages taken up under the purview of GNSS scheme, 4 and 5 packages were handed over to Telugu Ganga Project (TGP). Sources said due to lack of coordination between official machinery, the government forced to cancel 3 packages out of 7. However, officials say works stopped due to no permission from the Forest department.

It was proposed to dig 250 km canal upto Railway Kodur in Kadapa district under 1 to 5 packages in the second phase of GNSS scheme. Sources said Irrigation department has sent proposal with revised estimate at Rs 1,000 crore for 1 and 2 packages each Rs 500 crore cost.

It is learnt that apart from packages 6 and 7, which were taken up under TGP in Chittoor district, 4,5, and 6 packages which were endorsed to Kadapa district are cancelled soon following misuse of crores of public money.

“We have high hopes over the completion of GNSS scheme as there will be sufficient water available for farm operations in our area. But it seems it will not be possible as there was no clarity either with contractors or in the government over the issue,” P Raghuramu Reddy a farmer of Railway Kodur said. An official told The Hans India that there was some progress in packages 1,2,3 and 7 but were abolished due to various reasons.

He said securing permission from the Forest department is main reason for incompletion of GNSS scheme as 1,500 acres were identified and a survey was conducted against total 4,000 acres. He said tenders will be called for 1,2, and 7 packages soon.

By M Srinivasa Rao