Only 19 of the 46 projects will be anywhere near completion by the December 2008 deadline. The tardy work, the Congress think-tank feels, could seriously jeopardise the party’s prospects in the coming polls. In the Telangana region, where several medium irrigation projects have been taken up, not a single one is going to complete on time.

The Chief Minister received this shocker from an independent survey commissioned by him.

The survey revealed lacklustre performance of the irrigation department coupled with the relegation of structure construction works that call for heavy investment and focus on earth works and inadequate ground-level supervision, caused the delay. Contractors share the blame for putting these works on the back-burner.

While Ministers are shying away from visiting project sites, secretaries and advisors are seldom moving out of the Secretariat’s cozy confines. Key field functionaries are spending more time in Hyderabad than the field.

Sub-contracting is another problem. Some projects have changed as many as five hands. For instance, the Devadula project, slated for September opening, is lagging behind schedule as the electro-mechanical works are still pending.

Frequent squabbles among the contractors are also hindering the work. In case of the Peedavagu project, work on the main structure is yet to take off, while the canal works are almost halfway through.

The work on the Somasila-Swaranamukhi link canal, scheduled to be completed by December 2008, is yet to begin.

Progress on the implementation of relief and rehabilitation package, touted as the best till date in the country, too is discouraging.

“The officials have failed to adopt a humanitarian approach towards the displaced. This has led to legal wrangles. At some places, oustees are obstructing the works,” the report said.