‘Centre will support Polavaram’

Metro India News | Ramayyapeta

Andhra Pradesh Minister for Medical and Health Satya Kumar Yadav on Thursday said the Central Government would extend full support to the Polavaram National Project until its completion. He described the project as a key driver of the State's future development and assured that the Centre would provide all necessary funds for completing the remaining works.

The Minister visited the Polavaram project along with BJP leaders and inspected the Left Canal, tunnels, the main dam, the new diaphragm wall, the cofferdam, and the hydropower project, which is in its final stages of construction. Officials from the Water Resources Department briefed him on the progress of the works, and he reviewed the pace of construction and the remaining tasks.

Speaking to the media, Mr. Satya Kumar recalled that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had declared Polavaram a National Project and decided that the entire cost of its construction would be borne by the Central Government. He said the Centre had already released more than ₹20,750 crore for the project and was prepared to provide additional funds if required.

The Minister alleged that the project had been neglected during the previous government's tenure and that there had been significant delays in utilising the funds released by the Centre. He said construction had regained momentum after Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu gave special attention to the project.

"The benefits of Polavaram are not limited to the Godavari districts. Once completed, it will enable more efficient diversion of Krishna River waters from the Srisailam reservoir to Rayalaseema. For a region that has battled drought for decades, Polavaram is the key to permanent water security," Mr. Satya Kumar said.

He added that the State Government would urge the Central Government and the BJP national leadership to provide special funds to develop the areas surrounding the Polavaram project as a tourism destination.

Reiterating that Polavaram is vital for Andhra Pradesh's long-term development, the Minister said the Centre and the State Government were working in close coordination to ensure its early completion.