Rajahmundry: Former MP Undavalli Arun Kumar on Tuesday accused Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu of trying to sabotage Polavaram project across the river Godavari by taking up Pattiseema Lift Irrigation Scheme.Talking to reporters at Pattiseema in West Godavari district, he said the Polavaram project was designed to reverse sagging agricultural fortunes in the State. He visited Pattiseema and interacted with farmers there.

“The Pattiseema Lift Irrigation Scheme is a design unveiled by Naidu to divert the people’s attention and to do away with Polavaram project,” he alleged. He ridiculed the claim by the government that the Pattiseema Lift Irrigation project would be completed in seven months.He demanded that the government explain to the people how lands for the project could be acquired without holding public hearing. There were allegations that the cost of the project was increased by 22 per cent.

Apart from it, the project should be opposed by one and all because it would turn out to be a weapon in the hands of those opposing the Polavaram project, he said. The former MP demanded that the government call for global tenders to complete the Polavaram project. He also suggested that the State government pay Rs 1,800 crore, which the government was prepared to spend on the lift irrigation project, as compensation for farmers and tribal people whose lands would be submerged due to the construction of Polavaram  project.  

He observed that the Centre had earmarked only Rs 100 crore for the Polavaram project in the budget because it understood the plot hatched by Naidu to sabotage prospects of Polavaram project becoming a reality. He regretted that 10 lakh acres of fertile land would be destroyed.