BJP slams govt. over KLIS repair costs, demands recovery from errant parties-OxBig News Network

HYDERABAD

BJP Chief Whip and Sirpur MLA Palvai Harish Babu has demanded clarification from Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy regarding the cost incurred for repair and restoration of the Medigadda Barrage and other barrages of the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project (KLIP).

According to Mr. Harish Babu, contractors involved in the project, including L&T-PES and Afcons, have written a letter demanding that the government bear the entire cost of renovation.

In a statement here on Sunday, he warned that if the government bears the entire cost of reconstruction without exposing the corruption, it will burden people. The estimated repair cost will be around ₹10,000 crore, he said. The contractors are demanding reimbursement for work to be done as per NDSA recommendations, which could cost up to ₹40 crore.

Mr. Harish Babu also slammed BRS leaders, including former CM K Chandrasekhar Rao and former Irrigation Minister T. Harish Rao, for reportedly refusing to attend the Judicial Commission’s inquiry into the fiasco.

He also demanded action against companies involved in the project, and sought recovery of funds from responsible parties. Government should stop the final bill payment for Medigadda Barrage until KLIP’s restoration is complete, he said.