Hyderabad, March 14: The devastating earthquakes and tsunami that rocked Japan is likely to impact ongoing and proposed projects in Greater Hyderabad and the state.
Andhra Pradesh Central Power Distribution Company Limited (CPDCL), Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) and Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWS&SB) are unsure about the fate of their projects as they fear that the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), which is funding many of them, may withhold the release of further funds.
The three departments are expecting loans to the tune of Rs 5,000 crore but JICA may now find it difficult to release the loans apart from the Japanese Government not permitting it to proceed further in view of the prevailing conditions in the country.
But since agreements have been signed, officials are hoping that even if JICA does not release loans immediately, it would do so later when the situation in Japan improves.
The immediate impact would be felt on the ongoing package-II of the 158 kms Nehru Outer Ring Road (NORR) project and radial roads taken up with JICA loans. The ORR officials said that the northern arc of the project is proposed with loan Assistance from JICA. The package II includes three stretches: Shamirpet to Keesara (10.3 kms), Keesara to Ghatkesar (11 kms) and Ghatkesar to Pedda Amberpet (12 kms).
The works were being undertaken in six packages costing about Rs 3,558 crore.
JICA had agreed to provide assistance of about Rs 3,126 crore. Three packages were to be completed by December and the remaining by 2012 end. The works under the first package from Patencheru to Pedda Amberpet are underway and about 30- 40 per cent of it has been completed.
JICA has released Rs1,000 crore and remaining Rs 2,126 crore was to be released shortly but the loan assistance is likely to be put on hold now.
Similarly, Japan also released 50 per cent of the proposed Rs 370 crore funds for the Hussainsagar Lake and Catchment Area Improvement Project. The objective of the project is to improve the lake water quality by preventing pollutants besides removal of rich sediments, interception and diversion of dry weather flows, improvement of nalas in catchment areas etc. The remaining 50 per cent of the loan was to be released shortly.
Meanwhile, the discoms have taken up a pilot project for the segregation of agricultural feeders from rural feeders after obtaining approval for assistance to the tune of Rs 990 crore from JICA. It also includes Rs 625 crore for CPDCL for implementing High Voltage Distribution System (HVDS) in rural districts. “We are keeping our finger crossed,” a CPDCL official said.
The JICA in principle agreed to provide loan assistance of over Rs 2,200 crore to the Water Board for strengthening of the infrastructure networks particularly of water supply distribution lines in municipalities like Alwal, Kapra, Malkajgiri, Uppal, Rajendranagar, Serilingampally, Quthbullapur, Ramachandrapuram, Patancheru and Gaddiannaram.
The Board submitted a proposal of Rs 3,195 crore but JICA had agreed to provide Rs 2,200 crore after getting counter assurance from the state government.
“We pray to God that the situation in Japan will get back to normal soon. We are hopeful of receiving assistance from JICA after the situations improves,” the Board officials said.
–Agencies