The Telangana Government plans to complete the second phase of works of Mission Kakatiya project from November to January.
Addressing a workshop at JNTU Campus in Kukatpally here on Monday, Irrigation Minister T. Harish Rao said that the cleaning of lakes and ponds across the State would be taken up under the second phase. By January 7, at least 50% works will be completed while January 22 has been set as the deadline to complete 100% works. He claimed that the first phase works were highly successful and as many as 8,725 lakes were cleaned.
Harish Rao said that the Mission Kakatiya has increased the ground water levels in several districts. He said that the programme was being appreciated by all sections of the society and the Central Government and many foreign firms have praised the scheme. He also claimed that the West Bank of China has offered to fund the project.
The minister ridiculed the criticism of opposition parties on the scheme and said that the opposition leaders should make field visits before targeting the Mission Kakatiya. He said that all works were being executed in a transparent manner and the entire process from calling the tenders to payment of bills was being done online. He said that the government saved about Rs. 1,000 crore by allotting the tenders at 22% lesser rates. He also listed out other achievements of the projects.
Finance Minister Eatala Rajender and senior officials were also present. (INN)