Sitarama Project works move at snail’s pace

The Sitarama Project that was taken up seven years ago to irrigate 6.74-lakh acres of ayacut lands in Mahbubabad district still remains incomplete.
The BRS regime spent Rs 7,500 crore for the project but failed to wet at least one acre of land. The earth works and tail works have been completed at an accelerated pace only with an eye to earn kickbacks. However, the government had not paid attention to complete the head works. As a result, the project could not release water to the ayacut lands.
The pump house and tunnel works have been progressing at a snail’s pace. The then CM KChandrasekhar Rao, laid the foundation stone for the project on February 16, 2016 at Rollapadu. It was targeted to be completed in 18 months, but the land acquisition and shortage of funds delayed the project.
According to experts, it would take at least two more years for the project to be ready in all respects.
Tenders have been invited dividing the project into 16 packages. The MEIL, L and T and some other firms bagged the contract.
The estimated cost of the project is Rs 13,384 crore, out of which Rs 7,500 crore has been spent under it so far.
The execution of package 13 and 14 works of the project is yet to be grounded in Mahabubabad district.
Out of the four pump houses, construction of the three pump houses has been through. However, the pump house at Gandugulapalli is still under construction. Land is yet to be acquired for excavation of a gravity canal from the pump house.
Out of the three tunnels to be excavated, works on excavation of two tunnels is underway.
Works are in progress in Sattupalli and Aswaraopeta under pacages 9, 10, 11 and 12. The displaced persons have been demanding payment of higher compensation than Rs 10.50 lakh offered by the officials per acre. The officials are required to step up acquisiton of 280 acres of patta land for speedier execution of the project.
In all, the Sitarama project requires 19,611 acres of land, including 4,924 acres of the forest land. Getting clearance for acquisition of the forest lands, problems in acquisition of the land have been delaying the project.