VIDC facing issues in executing irrigation project works
   Date :16-May-2020

VIDC _1  H x W:
 
 
 
By Kartik Lokhande :
 
 
COVID-19 outbreak has impacted various sectors and projects. As far as Vidarbha region is concerned, COVID-19 outbreak and subsequent lockdowns have had an adverse impact on timelines of completion of irrigation project works. Though the recent lockdown directives have allowed construction activities, Vidarbha Irrigation Development Corporation (VIDC) is facing certain issues in executing the irrigation project works. These works include laying of piped distribution network and construction. Apart from facing issues concerning these two activities, VIDC is busy sorting out issues regarding availability and deployment of necessary staff at the project sites, and availability of funds from the State Government.
 
 
As far as funds are concerned, in the wake of COVID-19 outbreak, State Government had asked VIDC to continue works within limit of 33 per cent of the budget for the year 2020-21. VIDC requires Rs 1,000 crore for such projects, within the specified limit of 33 per cent of budgetary allocation. However, sources said, it has not yet received a single rupee from the State Government since April 1. Avinash Surve, Executive Director of VIDC, said that VIDC was following the Government directives about financial limit and focussing on projects nearing completion as those required less spending.
 
“We are starting the activities allowed under revised lockdown guidelines. However, there are some issues that we are busy sorting out,” he said. According to Surve, construction activities were allowed in ‘green zones’, mostly in rural areas. All the work sites of VIDC are in green zone. But, he said, officers and supervisory staff lived in ‘red zone’. Hence, in many villages, local residents initially opposed the entry of officers and staff or sought them to undergo 14-day quarantine before resuming duties at the sites. Now, he said, VIDC is asking its officers to stay at the nearest divisional headquarters at taluka place. As far as construction activities are concerned, VIDC is facing a problem with availability of pipes for distribution network. Of late, VIDC has adopted the policy of piped distribution network instead of open networks. However, piped distribution networks require pipes.
 
Lockdown in the wake of COVID-19 affected the manufacturing of pipes. As such, VIDC is going ahead with the work of piped distribution network, with whatever number of pipes is available in stock. The manufacturing and transport of pipes has posed a tricky situation before VIDC. Further, availability of sand for construction has been affected adversely. Owing the restriction on sand excavation and transportation at many places, sand availability for project works is affected. At some places, the contractors concerned are sourcing sand from adjoining state of Madhya Pradesh securing necessary permissions. But, it is not sufficient. Availability of sand locally can help VIDC a lot in going ahead with construction activities relating to projects, before the onset of monsoon. “We are facing certain challenges, but we are working constantly on overcoming those,” Surve said.