While the farmers who have been fighting for the much-awaited Rajivsag-ar (Dummugudem) Lift Irrigation Project for the last two decades are expressing happiness over the comme-ncement of works, those who were losing lands un-der the project are insisting that the government start works only after paying compensation to their lands. The evacuees of the project also demanded that the government pay the compensation on par with the price being paid to the victims of Indirasagar Multi-purpose Irrigation Project. The minister for Vaidya Vidhana Parishad and hospital services, Mr Vanama Venkateswara Rao, laid foundation stone for the works of first phase of the project at Amerda under Aswapuram mandal. The farmers led by the Burgumpahad MLA, Mr Payam Venkateswarlu, halted the works by staging dharna there and demanded that the minister give an assurance on the compensation. Mr Rao said, "I am ready to face any kind of humiliation resorted by some leaders for the sake of farmers and people". He said that the government would pay the compensation to the farmers before July 25 and Rs 5 crore is ready with revenue divisional officer for disbursal. On the other hand, the MKR Construction Company that obtained the contract has already dumped the pipes, equipment and earth moving and other machines to the work spot. The project is an assured lift irrigation project and the water to the main canal would be drawn from the upper stream of river Godavari at Dummugudem anicut. It is planned to irrigate two-lakh acre in 17 mandals in the district for two crops. The total cost of the project is Rs.1,800 crore including establishment and indirect charges. The approach canal is proposed a little fore from Dummugudem barrage and water would be lifted at this spot of 48 metre river level to 58 metre height and sent to Marellapadu, 10 km distance from the river by using the gravitation force. The canal discharge capacity is around 1,800 cusecs. From Marellapadu, the second lift would start and water be lifted to Karakavagu reservoir. The lands of both sides of the canal from second lift to Karakagudem would be irrigated through the distributaries. The third lift is proposed at Karakavagu and two minor canals would start from this place and the water would be sent to the lands of concerned mandals.