Officials told to fast-track irrigation projects

The Cabinet sub-committee of Andhra Pradesh Ministers on irrigation today asked the officials to outline the steps to be taken for expeditiously completing various irrigation projects. The sub-committee members, including Major Irrigation Minister P Sudarshan Reddy, Major Industries Minister J Geeta Reddy, Finance Minister A Ramanarayana Reddy and Minor Irrigation Minister T G Venkatesh, held a review on the ambitious 'Jalayagnam' (irrigation mission) in the state.

The 'Jalayagnam' envisages building 86 irrigation projects. Of these, 82 have been taken up so far. An official release said 14 projects have been completed so far which provided irrigation facility for 1,51,204 acres. Construction work is in progress in the remaining 68 projects. The sub-committee has asked the officials to prepare a report on the projects to be completed by 2012-13 and 2013-14, the release added. The panel will have its next meeting on September six.