Date:26/06/2003 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2003/06/26/stories/2003062603750300.htm

Southern States - Andhra Pradesh

Central clearance likely for three irrigation projects

By Our Staff Reporter

SRIKAKULAM June 25. Three irrigation projects in the north Andhra, including the Rs. 460-crore major project, the Thotapalli barrage, are expected to be cleared at the Technical Advisory Committee meeting of the Central Water Commission scheduled for July 16, the Major Irrigation Minister, Kadiam Srihari, has said.

He told presspersons at Sarubujjili on Tuesday that some queries raised with regard to Thotapalli had been cleared and a Chief Engineer sent to verify the progress. He said the moment the clearance came, either Japanese assistance or aid from other financial institutions would be sought and work started. Alternatively, the State Government would allocate funds for taking up the project, Mr. Srihari said. He said there was no comparison between Devadula and Thotapalli as the former was in initial stages. The interest of farmers under Naryanapuram anicut would also be protected by modernising it, in case Thotapalli was taken up, he assured the farmers. The other two projects likely to get clearance are Pedagedda and Tarakarama Tirthasagaram.