Amaravati: Union Jal Shakti minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Friday inspected Polavaram project works and assured Andhra Pradesh that the Centre is firm in its commitment to complete the scheme by bearing its entire cost.
He, along with Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, visited Polavaram site and inspected the works on various components of the project, which has been declared as a national project by the Centre.
Addressing meetings in resettlement colonies in East Godavari and West Godavari districts, he said they were taking all steps to ensure that the first phase of the project is completed in a span of one year.
Shekhawat assured people that the Narendra Modi government will complete the project by bearing the entire cost as promised in Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act.
He assured the state government that the Centre would provide whatever assistance the state required will stand by the government unless the project completed in all manners.
He also assured displaced people that their rehabilitation and resettlement is the responsibility of both the central and state governments.
He recalled that the project was first proposed in the 1970s, and the work progressed when YS Rajasekhara Reddy was the chief minister of combined Andhra Pradesh but unfortunately even after 40-50 years the project could not be completed.
The central minister said the chief minister during his recent meeting with the Prime Minister discussed everything about Polavaram for its early completion.
He said that justice will be done to the families displaced by the project by accommodating them in resettlement colonies.
Shekhawat, along with the chief minister, visited Polavaram resettlement colonies including Indukuru in East Godavari district and Taduvai in West Godavari district.
They interacted with the relocated families and directed the R&R officials to pay more attention to rehabilitation works. Addressing the gathering, the chief minister said that Polavaram is a lifeline for Andhra Pradesh. He said with the completion of the project the state would become more fertile and prosperous.