It looks like contractors who have been awarded various works in Amaravati capital city construction are brazenly flouting rules while executing works.
According to media reports, a firm engaged in capital city infrastructure projects has openly violated irrigation norms by dumping large quantities of gravel into the Krishna Western Delta (KWD) canal near Sitanagaram.
The unauthorised dumping, carried out to fast-track construction deadlines, has left irrigation authorities deeply concerned and exposed serious lapses in compliance and monitoring.
The incident came to light after the canal was found partially filled with gravel, prompting officials from the water resources department to lodge strong objections with the AP Capital Region Development Authority and the Amaravati Development Corporation.
The contractor is executing a seed access road and a steel bridge project meant to improve connectivity between Amaravati and NH-16.
However, in its haste to meet timelines, the firm allegedly chose to dump construction material directly into the canal—without securing any mandatory permissions.
Officials warned that such unauthorised filling could obstruct the canal’s flow and trigger severe consequences, especially during peak irrigation or flood conditions.
The issue has assumed greater significance as the KWD canal falls under Inland Waterways jurisdiction, making prior clearance from the Central Designs Organisation compulsory for any permanent or major bridge works.
Despite this, irrigation officials confirmed that no approval was sought or granted for construction activity within the canal.
Nevertheless, the contractor proceeded with erecting pillars near the Kondaveeti Vagu sluice gates and continued piling up soil on both sides of the canal, drastically reducing its carrying capacity.
When confronted, the firm reportedly attempted to downplay the violation by claiming the structure was only a “temporary bridge” and that soil dumping would be minimal.
Ground reality, however, told a different story. Officials observed that nearly half the width of the canal has already been filled—contradicting the contractor’s assurances and reinforcing concerns over deliberate non-compliance.
During a site inspection, water resources officials expressed serious apprehension over the scale of the encroachment and directed the firm to immediately expedite construction, remove the dumped material, and restore the canal to its original condition.