Andhra Pradesh readies legal defence on Polavaram

Metro India News | AMARAVATI

Water Resources Minister Nimmala Ramanaidu on Sunday held a video conference in the backdrop of the adjournment of the Polavaram-Nallamala Sagar Link Project case in the Supreme Court of India. The Minister directed the State’s legal team to present a robust and fact-based defence on behalf of the Andhra Pradesh government.

The review meeting was attended by Irrigation Special Secretary Sai Prasad, Advisor Venkateswara Rao, Engineer-in-Chief Narasimha Murthy, senior advocates, and inter-state irrigation officials. Minister Ramanaidu instructed irrigation authorities to immediately furnish all relevant records and technical documents to the legal team to ensure effective arguments before the apex court.

Explaining the rationale behind the project, the Minister said the State had proposed to utilise only 200 TMC out of nearly 3,000 TMC of floodwater that goes waste into the sea every year by mixing with saline water. He asserted that, as per the Godavari Water Disputes Tribunal (GWDT), Andhra Pradesh has legitimate rights over the utilisation of surplus waters. “As the lower riparian state in the Godavari basin, Andhra Pradesh is entitled to use excess floodwaters without infringing upon the rights of upper basin states,” the Minister said, adding that the project’s core objective was to divert otherwise wasted floodwater to the drought-prone Rayalaseema region and make it agriculturally prosperous.

Minister Ramanaidu clarified that a feasibility report had already been submitted to the Centre and that modifications were being carried out strictly in accordance with suggestions received. He also stressed that tenders related to the Detailed Project Report (DPR) were only part of preliminary preparatory steps. “Execution of the Polavaram-Nallamala Sagar Link Project will commence only after obtaining all statutory and legal clearances,” the Minister said, reiterating the government’s commitment to adhering to constitutional and legal frameworks while pursuing long-term water security for the State.

To use surplus Godavari river water, says Minister

Andhra Pradesh Minister N Ramanaidu on Sunday said the proposed Polavaram-Nallamala Sagar link project aims to utilise surplus Godavari river water that would otherwise flow into the Bay of Bengal. He said that, as per the Godavari Water Disputes Tribunal award, the state has the right to utilise the remaining water.

"The objective of the Polavaram-Nallamala Sagar link project is to harness surplus Godavari river water that presently drains into the sea," Ramanaidu said in a press release. According to the state water resources minister, of the nearly 3,000 TMC of water that flows into the sea each year, the project proposes to utilise about 200 TMC. Describing Andhra Pradesh as a downstream riparian in the Godavari basin, Ramanaidu said it has the right to use surplus floodwater without affecting the entitlements of other riparian states. The minister said the project will divert water that would otherwise flow into the sea to Rayalaseema to boost irrigation and farming. He instructed the legal team to present strong arguments before the Supreme Court and directed senior irrigation officials to provide all records related to the case.

The minister said the project feasibility report has been submitted to the Centre and is being revised per its suggestions. He added that detailed project report (DPR) tenders are only preparatory, and the project will proceed only after all statutory and legal clearances are obtained.