* Polavaram is not just a project; it is the lifeline of Andhra Pradesh. We have drawn up a comprehensive action plan to ensure its completion on time

- N Chandrababu Naidu,  Chief Minister of AP

metro india news  I amaravati :

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has announced an ambitious roadmap to ensure the completion of the Polavaram irrigation project by October 2026. Describing it as the “lifeline of the people of Andhra Pradesh,” the CM emphasized that every effort is being made to meet the deadlines, with phased targets set in collaboration with expert committees and the Central Water Commission.

Speaking to the media after inspecting the progress of the Polavaram project with officials on Monday, Naidu said, “Polavaram is not just a project; it is the lifeline of Andhra Pradesh. We have drawn up a comprehensive action plan to ensure its completion on time.”

The Chief Minister stated that the government aims to complete the acquisition of 16,400 acres of land by April 2025, followed by the Relief&Rehabilitationprocess which is expected to be completed by June 2026. In regard to the damage caused by floods in 2020, the diaphragm wall reconstruction will commence on January 2, 2024, with a target to complete it by December 2025, despite engineering estimates suggesting March 2026. Similarly, ECRF Gap 1 works are scheduled for completion by February 2026, and Gap 2 by December 2027, although officials have been urged to accelerate these timelines.

Highlighting the financial challenges faced during the project, Naidu criticized the previous government for delays and mismanagement, leading to a loss of Rs.2,400 crores. “During our tenure from 2014 to 2019, we completed 72% of the project. In contrast, the subsequent government managed only 3.84% progress, resulting in escalated costs,” he said.

Naidu informed that the first phase of the project, up to the 41.15-meter level, has secured Rs.12,157 crores from the central government, out of which Rs. 2,345 crores have already been sanctioned. He stated that upon completion, the Polavaram project will transform Andhra Pradesh’s irrigation capabilities, where an additional 7.27 lakh acres will receive water for irrigation, with 23 lakh acres being stabilized, besides providing drinking water for 28 lakh people, generating 960 MW of power and providing 23 TMC of water for industrial and drinking purposes in Visakhapatnam.

The project is also expected to strengthen interlinking of rivers. “Through the Pattiseema Lift Irrigation Scheme, we have already connected the Krishna and Godavari rivers, benefiting Krishna Delta farmers. Similarly, Polavaram will facilitate water supply from Krishna to Nagajunasagar and Gollapalli Reservoir,” the CM explained.

The CM acknowledged setbacks due to the 2020 floods, which damaged 200 meters of the diaphragm wall, escalating costs. “Had it been completed in 2019 as planned, the cost would have been Rs.440 crores. Today, it stands at Rs.990 crores. Sand filling alone will cost Rs.350 crores,” he said, attributing these delays to the previous government's decision to change the project contractor.

Stressing the need to get recognition of an iconic project to Polavaram, the Chief Minister, Chandrababu Naidu, on Monday directed the officials to complete the project works on a warfooting basis.  He made it clear that the project tasks and the time lines set for this need be taken up initially and the officials should function more efficiently to complete the works with a realistic perspective to achieve the targets set. The officers of the Irrigation wing and the representatives of Megha should properly identify the technical issues and prepare the plans to complete the works ontime with precision.

The Chief Minister clarified that the Supreme Court directions should be followed rigidly with regard to project works, in rehabilitation and other related matters. The Special Chief Secretary, Mr G Sai Prasad, explained in detail the progress of the project works and other related issues.

The Chief Minister said that the next meeting will mainly focus on the review on the progress of the project works and how the plans are being taken forward. It is very crucial to identify the technical aspects and take steps to reach the milestones, Chandrababu felt and said that the works for the diaphragm wall and the Earth-cum-Rock-Fill (ECRF) dam too should be taken up simultaneously.

The meeting was attended by key ministers, including Nimmala Ramanaidu, Kolusu Parthasarathi, and Nadendla Manohar, along with Eluru MP P. Mahesh Kumar and several MLAs. District Collector K. Vetriselvi, Joint Collector P. Dhathri Reddy, and irrigation department officials were also present.