HNSS limping towards deadline

Anantapur: The Handri Neeva Sujala Sravanti (HNSS) irrigation project is making poor progress through its second phase even after Chief Minister N. Chand-rababu announced a dea-dline for the completion of the decades-old project which is set to supply water for irrigation and drinking purposes in Rayalaseema region.

The project depends on the backwaters of the Krishna through the Srisailam reservoir. Various sections, including Phase I, have not been completed, but water is pumped towards the Goll-apalli reservoir in Anant-apur district through a 200-km long main canal of the HNSS project.

Mr Naidu had, during a series of visits, given a deadline of March 15, 2016, for the completion of Phase II. Irrigation minister D. Umamaheswar Rao and district ministers Palle Raghunath Reddy and Paritala Sunitha had also reviewed its progress at every meeting.

But collector Kona Sasidhar noticed delays taking place during his recent inspection of the 100-km long canal and ongoing structural works. Work under the tunnels at 303 km and 310 km was badly delayed following pending of approvals for the design.

Further, under-tunnel works at 314 km, 316 km and 319 km were being carried out with less machinery for digging and Mr Sasidhar had issued a warning to contractors and engineers. "We will blacklist them if they fail to complete the work on deadline," he said.

A package of 11 works near Pamudurthi and Agraharam Vanka in Gorantla mandal was also found unsatisfactory. Mr Sasidhar instructed the contractor to lay the concrete bedding within 15 days.

The Chief Minister, during a recent review, had expressed displeasure at the pitiably slow progress in Phase II in Anantapur district as only 10 structures out of 23 had been completed.
 

 

 

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