"Thousands of crores wasted on Polavaram project": CPI (M)'s Raghavulu demands probe

Vijayawada (Andhra Pradesh) [India], July 14 (ANI): CPI (M) politburo member BV Raghavulu said on Sunday that thousands of crores were wasted on the Polavaram project and demanded a probe against politicians, bureaucrats, and contractors responsible for it.
"Thousands of crores were wasted on the Polavaram project during the tenure of Jagan Mohan Reddy government. The waste of money without purpose is shameful. The government should launch a probe against political parties, bureaucrats, and contractors. A committee should be formed to conduct an inquiry into the matter," Raghavulu said at a press conference.
He said that thousands of people were deprived of their land, and their rehabilitation was not carried out. Many have not received compensation, which should be paid immediately.
"The state government has become part of the union government. Polavaram is a national project, and Chandrababu Naidu should ensure that the project budget is provided by the union government without fail. The entire responsibility for the project's completion should rest with the Union government," he said.
On June 28, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu released a white paper on the Polavaram project in the state Assembly.
"The YSRCP called for reverse tendering for the Polavaram project on the day he assumed charge...The cofferdam and diaphragm walls were damaged...Until the diaphragm wall is completed, we cannot construct the ECRF. Gap 1 was washed away for 150 metres due to the Godavari floods... No compensations were paid to the victims...International experts from the USA will check the project in the first week of July," Naidu had said.
He had said that 72 per cent of the Polavaram project was completed during the TDP regime, with all pending work finished.
"In contrast, less than 4 per cent of the work was completed during the YSRCP regime. A total of Rs 4,167 crore was spent on the construction of Polavaram. A person unfit for politics stepped into power and obstructed the construction of the Polavaram project. Without reviewing any prior reports, he stopped the Polavaram work," he added. (ANI)