Speed Up Diaphragm Wall Works: CM YS Jagan Tells Officials After Reviewing Progress of Polavaram Project

Polavaram: Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy directed the Irrigation Department officials to complete the repairs of damaged diaphragm wall of the Polavaram Project at the earliest so that the main project works could be expedited.  

At a review meeting held at the project site here on Tuesday after inspecting the progress of works, the Chief Minister told them to develop the project site as a favoured tourist destination by constructing a hotel and providing other amenities for visitors. He told them to construct a bridge at Polavaram.

Taking stock of the implementation of R&R package for the displaced persons, he directed them to provide all civic facilities and basic infrastructure simultaneously as the construction of colonies progresses. Officials informed him that 12658 displaced families have been shifted to the newly constructed colonies.

Referring to the exaggerated media reports on the cracks in the guide wall, the Chief Minister expressed displeasure over a section of the media making a mountain out of a molehill.
“The section of the media was silent over the damage of the diaphragm wall caused by the faulty construction of the upper coffer dam as the engineering firm left gaps in it. When the flash floods came, water gushed into the diaphragm wall through the gaps causing severe damage. 

As the diaphragm wall is the base for the construction of the main dam, the damage caused an extra financial burden of Rs. 2,000 crore on the project besides delaying it. The media was silent on this because the contract was given to the relatives of media baron Ramoji Rao by the previous TDP regime,” he told the officials. 

The media is raising a hue and cry unnecessarily over the small damage caused to the guide wall, he said, adding that officials should take this seriously and go ahead with necessary steps as it is common to move ahead undertaking repairs wherever necessary. 
Officials explained that the designs of the guide wall have been approved by the Central Water Commission (CWC) and it has been informed of the small cracks in the wall. They said repairs would be undertaken as per the suggestion of the CWC. 

Officials told him that the works relating to laying of spillway concrete, construction of upper and lower coffer dams, concrete work at gap 3, arrangement of 48 radial gates, river sluice gates, tunnel work at the powerhouse, vibro compaction and sand filling at gap 1, transportation of sand to ECRF gap 2 area have been completed while the approach channel works are nearing completion. 

They also told him that they are expediting work to complete the repairs of the diaphragm wall by December. 

The Chief Minister inspected the vibro compaction and sand filling works at the damaged diaphragm wall besides visiting the sites of upper and lower cofferdams. Officials explained about the increased height of the upper cofferdam and the details of the completed lower cofferdam. He was informed of the progress of ECRF works. He also inspected a photo exhibition of the dam works while officials explained the details. 
 

పోల‌వ‌రం ప్రాజెక్టు ప‌నుల‌ను ఏరియ‌ల్ స‌ర్వే ద్వారా ప‌రిశీలించిన సీఎం వైయ‌స్ జ‌గ‌న్‌. #YSRPolavaram pic.twitter.com/9Wit74si1j

— YSR Congress Party (@YSRCParty) June 6, 2023

Officials informed him that the Union Finance Ministry has agreed to release Rs.12,911.15 crore for completion of the first phase of the Polavaram Project and this includes Rs. 2,000 crore extra expenditure caused due to the faulty construction of the diaphragm wall during the TDP rule. The Finance Ministry informed this in a memorandum sent to the Union Water Resources Ministry, officials disclosed, adding that the Centre has also given exemption from compound payment of bills as it is causing project delay.

In PICS : CM YS Jagan visit to Polavaram project