10 hours ago
Former MP blames Naidu for Polavaram ‘blunders'
Rajamahendravaram: Former MP Maganti Bharat Ram came down heavily on former chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu, holding him responsible for the structural issues that have necessitated the reconstruction of the diaphragm wall of the Polavaram project.
Speaking to the media at the YSR Congress Party's city office on Sunday evening, Bharat alleged that the mistakes made during the 2014–2019 TDP regime are the primary reason for the wall's damage.
He further opined that the same blunders are being repeated now, raising concerns over the project's future. He demanded strict action from the Panel of Experts and other authorities to ensure the effective completion of the national project.
Calling Polavaram the 'brainchild of the late Dr YS Rajasekhara Reddy,' Bharat accused Naidu of ignoring the project during his earlier tenure. 'Chandrababu Naidu's government awarded contracts through the nomination system, which ultimately led to the collapse of the diaphragm wall,' he alleged.
Despite clear guidelines to construct protection walls on both sides before building the main dam, Naidu failed to comply, Bharat alleged. He said that the diaphragm wall is now being reconstructed at a cost of Rs 900 crore.
As part of this, 66,000 square meters of concrete work is to be completed. However, by the end of April, only 12,000 square meters had been completed instead of the targeted 15,000, according to the Panel of Experts' report.
He also expressed fitness concerns with the structure and demanded that criminal cases be filed against those responsible for the negligence that led to the damage.
