Metro India News | AMARAVATI

Andhra Pradesh Water Resources Minister Nimmala Ramanaidu has reaffirmed the state government's commitment to fast-tracking the Polavaram project and its Left Main Canal (LMC), aiming to deliver Godavari waters to North Andhra by the end of 2025. The Minister conducted a video conference to review the progress of key components of the project.

Providing updates on the diaphragm wall, Minister Ramanaidu stated that 25,238 square meters of the wall have been completed, achieving 40% physical progress. Out of the 373 panels to be constructed, 130 critical ones have already been finished.

Despite the ongoing flood season, the Minister assured that diaphragm wall works are continuing without interruption through systematic dewatering efforts. “Our target is to complete this section by December 2025,” he asserted.

Gap-1 of the project, involving Earth-cum-Rock Fill (ECRF) dam construction, is also progressing with a completion goal set for March 2026. Meanwhile, for Gap-2, the ECRF dam designs have received approvals from the Central Water Commission (CWC) and the Polavaram Project Authority (PPA), and construction is expected to begin in November.

Minister Ramanaidu emphasized the strategic importance of the Left Main Canal in enabling water distribution to North Andhra. He directed that the canal works be completed in line with Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu’s vision to supply Godavari waters to the region by 2025.

He also instructed officials to complete National Highway crossing bridge works linked to the Left Canal by the end of August. Criticizing the previous administration, Ramanaidu pointed out that not a single rupee or cubic metre of soil was moved for the Left Canal in the past five years. “We are now working with clear deadlines and a determined vision,” he added.