Vijayawada: Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu is giving top priority to completion of the Polavaram project and will inspect it on Monday for an on-the-spot assessment of the ground situation.
Naidu would inspect every structure there and hold a review meet with the project officials.
The chief minister stated that 72 per cent of the works of Polavaram were completed during his last term, and the remaining works would be completed in the present term.
During the last term, Naidu used to visit Polavaram and review the project every Monday under the Somavaaram-Polavaram programme, which is now being re-launched.
Notably, the CM decided to release White Papers on all major subjects including the Polavaram project. The visit on Monday is seen as part of this endeavour.
Naidu would spend 7 hours at Polavaram on Monday. The inspection will commence at 10 am after Naidu’s arrival there by helicopter. He would briefly meet local leaders at 10.05 am and reach Polavaram viewpoint at 10.10 am. From there, he will inspect the spillway block 26, guide bund, gap 3, USCD, gap 1, gap 2, DSCDs and two powerhouses.
Thereafter, Naidu will conduct a review meeting with the Polavaram officials and other departments and review land acquisition, relief and rehabilitation matters.
The chief minister said while 72 per cent of the works of Polavaram were completed during his last term, the YSRC government that took charge in 2019 never continued the construction works. The YSRC government was responsible for the washing away of the diaphragm wall, he alleged.
Political analysts note that during the TD government’s term in 2014-19, Naidu as CM had claimed to complete the project repeatedly and lastly promised to complete the construction before the 2019 elections, which too failed to materialise.
However, as Naidu is now a part of the NDA, chances are that he would get speedy approvals and funds from Delhi for Polavaram. He is likely to complete the Polavaram project in the next five years as it would help him seek votes in the 2029 elections and retain power.
