Apparently realising that he might not be able to see the completion of Polavaram project by 2019 notwithstanding his tall claims, Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu has started looking for excuses.
Reviewing the progress of works on Polavaram, Naidu told the officials that he was upset with the slow pace of construction.
The main reason for the delay in the construction of Polavaram was lack of sufficient fund flow from the Centre.
The project works would be completed by 2019 once the required funds are sanctioned by the central government.
“Instead of going emotional about Polavaram project, we need to think practically about its completion,” he said.
However, Union water resources minister Nitin Gadkari said there was no delay in release of funds by the Centre.
“We shall release funds within three days of the state submitting its expenditure bills on Polavaram,” he said.
Naidu sought to throw the blame on present contractor Transstroy (owned by TDP MP Rayapati Sambasiva Rao) for the delay.
Naidu said his government intended to change the main contract organization Transstroy as it is unable to pay money for workers and machinery but the central government was reluctant to change the contractor as it would further delay the project works.
Needless to say, Naidu wanted that his favourite contractors be entrusted with the work. But the centre did not entertain his request.
