Amaravati: The multipurpose Polavaram project and drinking water supply situation in Andhra Pradesh was reviewed by the Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu yesterday.
Speaking at a press conference, Naidu said he had taken oath on 8 June in 2014 and that he can run State administration till then, except for taking new policy decision.
Noting that the construction of Polavaram had slowed down in the last 45 days, though 69 per cent of the overall project has been completed, Naidu assured water from the project would be supplied through gravity from July.
“This is the dream project of five crore Andhra people. We will step up the works in the next two months. We will get additional machinery and mobilise other resources to complete the works expeditiously,” the Chief Minister added.
He further claimed that the Centre has to reimburse Rs 4,508 crore to the State towards the works. He further reffered to Modi’s comments that Naidu was using Polavaram project like an ATM to draw money from the Centre, the Chief Minister said it is not ATM but was ‘Anytime Water’.
The CM also reviewed the drinking water scarcity, said 347 mandals have been identified as drought-affected in the Kharif crop season, in addition to 257 during Rabi.
Against the normal 887.5 mm of rain, the state received only 599.1 mm, resulting in drought, he pointed out. Prakasam district received 58.3 per cent, Kadapa 57.4 per cent and SPS Nellore 54.1 per cent deficit rain.
“We have made arrangements to supply drinking water through 3494 tankers to overcome the problem in affected habitations. A sum of Rs 184 crore has been earmarked for mitigation of drinking water problems during summer,” the chief minister said.