Rockfill dam work begins in Polavaram

Vijayawada: The Polavaram project work gained pace as state govt launched work on gap-I rock-fill dam, a key structure in the project. The govt is also planning to expedite rehabilitation and resettlement (R&R) work in order to reach the target deadline for completion of the project by 2027.
Senior officials from water resources department, Polavaram project authority (PPA), and Megha engineering and infrastructure limited (MEIL) conducted puja at the project construction site to kick-start the rock-fill dam work. The gap-1 rockfill dam will be constructed about 25 metre high and 540 metre long.
On the occasion, Polavaram project's chief engineer K Narasimha Murthy said that all the works were progressing well to complete the project on time. He said that they are coordinating with all the agencies and aiming to speed up the work. The project SE Reddy Ramachandra Rao, EE K Balakrishna, PPA CEO Ramesh Kumar, MEIL joint chief operating officer Satish Babu Angara, GM Gangadhar and others participated in the puja.
Meanwhile, water resources minister Nimmala Ramanaidu took stock of the relief and resettlement works at Polavaram project with the senior officials. He said that NDA govt is giving high priority to R&R work along with the construction of civil works. He added that the welfare of the displaced people who sacrificed their lands, properties and houses for the project is paramount to the govt.
"Previous YSRCP govt did not spend even a single rupee in the last five years for the displaced people. No colony was completed during the previous regime," said Ramanaidu.
He added that Chandrababu Naidu had deposited 800 crore in 2017. After returning to power, the CM has now deposited another 800 crore.
The water resources minister said that CM Naidu has directed them to complete the rehabilitation and resettlement works on priority basis.