Senior YSR Congress party leader Ambati Rambabu, who served as Andhra Pradesh's irrigation minister for over two years, still seems unclear about the issues surrounding the state’s irrigation projects, particularly the Polavaram major irrigation project on the Godavari River.
With the Central government recently announcing the release of funds for the early completion of the Polavaram project, Ambati has blamed the previous Telugu Desam Party government led by N. Chandrababu Naidu for the project's delays over the years.
Ambati claimed that the primary reason for the project's delay was the washing away of the diaphragm wall during Naidu's tenure.
“Naidu had promised to complete the project by 2018, but he focused more on taking kickbacks rather than completing the work,” he alleged.
He further asserted that while the Naidu government undertook the project without following proper protocols, progress only began to pick up during the YSR Congress regime. “Currently, the work on Polavaram is experiencing significant delays,” Ambati said.
However, Ambati should be cautious when making statements on critical issues like Polavaram. The diaphragm wall was washed away in the August 2020 floods, which occurred more than a year after Jagan Mohan Reddy took office.
Reports from the Central Water Commission and letters from the Union Jal Shakti Ministry indicate that the damage to the diaphragm wall resulted from delays in completing the upper coffer dam due to time wasted on changing contractors under the guise of reverse tendering.
Furthermore, additional damage to guide bunds and other structures occurred during the Jagan government and remained unrepaired. This led to increased project costs and halted work during the previous administration, contrary to Ambati’s claim of accelerated progress.
Additionally, Ambati overlooked the fact that no concrete or earthworks can be undertaken during the flood season, which lasts from July to September.
The Centre has now directed that work on the project recommence in November, with the diaphragm wall slated for completion by July next year.
