Date:19/12/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/12/19/stories/2006121914290500.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

`Inferior quality material used in Veligonda'

Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD: A delegation of State Committee of CPI (M) has represented to Major Irrigation Minister Ponnala Laxmaiah about the inferior quality of stone used for construction of dams to close three gaps in the Veligonda project at Prakasam district.

T. Veerabhadram, CPI (M) MLA, and committee members — B. Tulasidas and S. Punyavathi— told a news conference on Monday after meeting the Minister that they had demanded quality control test of the stone. They said the dams at the gaps were being constructed with the stone quarried from nearby hills. The material was not fit even for construction of houses, they added. They feared that Markapuram town would be washed away in the event of a disaster.