Bengaluru: The CAG report for 2013-14 tabled in the state legislature has rapped the Irrigation Department for huge delays in completion of projects, and deficiencies in design and execution of projects resulting in excess spending. The additional burden, a whopping 400 crore in cost escalations due to delays in 68 projects.

As for deficiencies in the survey and design of projects, it said lapses in survey of Kattepura Anecut canals resulted in excess spending of `12.99 crore. The report said the Cauvery Neeravari Nigam Ltd failed to anticipate excessive seepage in the canals that are close to the existing Harangi canal.

The inter-connecting canal work of Kalasabanduri Nala was awarded at a cost of `140 crore and was to be completed in four phases in May 2012, but none was completed till August 2014. The surveys for the project had reported the existence of hard rock, but the strata encountered during excavation was different. This forced the Krishna Neeravari Nigam Ltd to change the method of execution from ‘open cut canal’ to ‘cut and cover’.

This eventually led to an additional expenditure of `54 crore apart from delaying the work by two years, the report has pointed out.

The CAG has also recommended that the government institute a mechanism for the tender issuing authority certifying that the acquisition of land, payment of compensation and forest/environment clearances have been completed before issuing tenders.

It advised the government to form a cell to coordinate and expedite clearances from statutory bodies and fix responsibility for abnormal variations in surveys so that extra financial implications are avoided.