Central government which earlier planned to execute the Polavaram Project through a Special authority, has now decided to allow the state government to continue holding operational powers in executing all the existing contracts of the project.
Earlier the Center was adamant to take up the project through Polavaram Project Authority (PPA), an autonomous body under the Union water resources ministry but the state government insisted up on carrying it out. Finally the Center decided it in favour of the state. At the same time going further the state government will be made responsible for any delays in executing the project.
The opposition is alleging that TDP government was abandoning the Polavaram project in favour of the Pattiseema lift irrigation scheme. So Naidu was adamant to take up the responsibility and finish it by next election. AP irrigation department will control all works already awarded to contracting agencies and the funds granted by the central government will be released to the state government. It is estimated that Rs 10,451.1 crore would be needed to complete the national project and that it should be released in four yearly installments.
