Several projects stalled in AP as blame game continues.

Visakhapatnam, July 24Even after two months of YS Jaganmohan Reddy assuming charge as the second Chief Minister of Navya (new) Andhra Pradesh, several projects, including the construction of the capital city Amravati and Polavaram irrigation project, are at a standstill.

From the beginning, the YSRC government was keen on reviewing, and revoking, if necessary, the contracts awarded by the previous TDP government and proving that “there was massive, unprecedented corruption in all the major projects, namely, the construction of the mega Polavaram multi-purpose irrigation project on the Godavari, construction of the new capital Amaravati and several power purchase agreements (PPAs) signed during the TDP regime.” The expectations were high, as the YSR Congress had made many promises in its election manifesto.

Amaravati

Works at Amaravati have almost come to a standstill, though the Municipal Administration Minister, B Satyanarayana, denies giving any orders to stop the work. “We have appointed a committee to go into the misdeeds of the TDP government and submit a report. We will take suitable action, resorting to reverse tendering, as the Chief Minister announced, and re-award the works. However, works are going on even now,” he said.

“The new government has killed the Amaravati project. World Bank and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank have gone back on the commitment to lend roughly $500 million to the project together after seeing the attitude of the new Government. Brand Amaravati has taken a terrible beating and the real estate has crashed,” according to former Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu.

Polavaram

Works have been stopped at Polavaram project site, and the Chief Minister has squarely blamed the former Chief Minister for it. “The construction of the coffer dam and the spillway was not taken up properly and as a result during the flood season works have to be stopped. There was huge corruption in Polavaram works too. The expert committee going into the issue will expose the TDP in a fortnight or so,” he said in the State Assembly.

According to the Chief Minister, the works at Polavaram will resume by September and they would then be expedited.

PPA row

A huge row has been raging in the State over the review of the power purchase agreements relating to wind and solar energy by the new Government. Alleging massive corruption in the PPAs, the YSRC government is going ahead with the review, even though the Centre has advised the State government against it, and several experts in the field have also cautioned the new Government.

Sand scarcity

Another issue causing a lot of concern is the sand scarcity in the State, affecting the construction sector. The new government has scrapped the existing policy and a new policy is expected by September. Meanwhile, the district Collectors have been instructed to ensure supply to the construction sector., But sand prices have risen steeply and there is scarcity.

Ch Ramakotaiah, a builder constructing a mini stadium in Vizianagaram, said, “I think the new government should take immediate corrective steps. Work has stopped and we are quite helpless.”

Meanwhile, in the ongoing Budget session of the State Assembly, the YSR Congress members are going hard at Chandrababu Naidu. “I have no problem, if Jaganmohan Reddy and his party want to settle scores with me or my party. But they should realise that their vindictive actions are causing lasting damage to the prospects of the State. We have nothing to hide or fear,” the former Chief Minister said.

HBL