Accuses Jagan government of damaging Polavaram project
The Capital News
Andhra Pradesh chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu released a white paper on the Polavaram project, asserting the project had been significantly undermined over the last five years (2019-24). The chief minister accused the Jagan government of damaging the Polavaram project and highlighted that during the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) administration, the project progressed smoothly, overcoming numerous challenges. He recalled that the TDP government achieved a Guinness World Record by completing 32,215 cubic meters of concrete work in the spill channel in a single day. Naidu detailed the TDP government’s accomplishments, including the completion of upper and lower coffer dams and head works. He emphasized that the diaphragm wall, a critical component of the project, was completed in a record time of 414 days. Naidu noted that a diaphragm wall extending two kilometers and over 100 meters deep was constructed by the German company ‘Baur’. He mentioned that the spillway gate designs were prepared, and gate installation had commenced during the TDP tenure. Naidu pointed out that all project-related works received approval from the Polavaram Project Authority (PPA) and the Central Water Resources Department, with former ministers Uma Bharati and Nitin Gadkari expressing satisfaction with the progress. According to Naidu, 72 percent of the Polavaram project was completed under the TDP regime, with Rs 11,537 crore spent on the works. Naidu criticized the YSRCP government’s handling of the Polavaram project over the past five years, accusing it of making poor decisions and engaging in reverse tendering dramas. He claimed that the day Jagan Mohan Reddy was sworn in as chief minister in 2019, orders were issued to halt the Polavaram works. Naidu highlighted that notices were served on July 29, 2019, for the construction company to vacate the site, following the Peter Committee report on July 24, 2019. Naidu explained that the central government concluded no corruption occurred in Polavaram, as stated in Parliament on December 2, 2019. He asserted that changing the contractor further delayed the project and criticized the reverse tendering process as being against the rules. Naidu accused the Jagan government of damaging the Polavaram project, expressing regret that despite claims of saving Rs 738 crore through reverse tenders, the diaphragm wall was ultimately damaged.