Date:05/03/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/03/05/stories/2008030552540300.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Fund crunch dogs irrigation projects

Staff Reporter

Budgetary allocations far below the estimated cost

Projects progressing at snail’s pace
They are aimed at providing drinking water also

Rampachodavaram: The construction work on the two medium irrigation projects taken up by the State government as part of the Jalayagnam in the Agency area of East Godavari district is progressing at a snail’s pace, thanks to paucity of funds and hiccups in obtaining some Central clearances.

The Bhupatipalem project was launched in November 2004 at an estimated cost of Rs.76 crores. It was aimed at providing irrigation to 23,086 acres (9,343 hectares) and drinking water to 0.56 lakh population spread over 45 villages in three mandals of the district. The project was capable of storing 11.42 mcum (403 mcft).

A distinction

The project, the first in the country that would irrigate more than 90 per cent of the tribal area, got the Central Water Commission’s clearance in August 2006. However, the forest clearance was yet to come. The rehabilitation package was not finalised as the tribals were not satisfied with the compensation the government had announced.

Only 25 per cent of the construction work was over. Work on the sill way, a few canals, etc. was nearing completion. In the budget, the government had set apart only Rs.35 crores as against Rs.27 crores earmarked in the previous year.

The Musurumilli reservoir was another prestigious project taken up across the Seethapalli Vagu near Musurumilli village in Rampachodavam mandal.

The project involved an expenditure of Rs. 207 crores. It was aimed at providing irrigation to 22,640 acres (9,162 hectares) and drinking water for 1.2 lakh population spread over 23 villages in five mandals. The capacity of the reservoir was 40.41 mcum (1,427 mcft).

Four villages – Chinnabarangi, Komavaram, Seetapalli and Musurumilli – would be submerged fully and three villages – I. Polavaram, Jagarampalli and Tamarapally – would be submerged partially. The government drafted a rehabilitation package with an outlay of Rs.15.39 crores. The government had spent Rs.66 crores on this project so far. I the present budget, it was sanctioned only Rs.13 crores.