The Andhra Pradesh government is seeking central approval for the second phase of the major Polavaram irrigation project on the Godavari river, even as work on the first phase is progressing at a rapid pace, officials familiar with the matter said.
Jal Sakthi Union Ministry Secretary V L Kantha Rao on Friday held a high-level meeting with state government officials in New Delhi to review the progress of works under the first phase of the Polavaram project and discuss issues related to the second phase.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Secretary G Sai Prasad, also in charge of the state irrigation department, Irrigation Department Advisor M Venkateswara Rao and Engineer General Narasimha Murthy, along with senior officials from the Central Water Commission, Ministry of Environment and Forests, Polavaram Project Authority and representatives of various other relevant agencies, attended the meeting.
Under the first phase of the project, water will be stored in the reservoir up to a height of 41.15 meters with storage set at 115 metric tons (one thousand million cubic feet). The second phase of the project will achieve a full tank level of 45.72 meters and a total storage capacity of 194.60 cubic tons.
A senior official familiar with the agenda of the meeting held by Union Secretary Jal Sakthi and the state government informed the Center that the first phase of the project is progressing at a fast pace.
“The construction of the retaining wall has already been completed and work on the Earth and Rock Barrier (ECRF) has begun. While the initial target has been set for completion in June 2027, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has instructed the contracting agency to complete the works by March, the official said, adding that the left and right main canal works are also nearing completion.
The government also informed the Center that the rehabilitation and resettlement of 38,060 displaced families within a perimeter of 41.15 meters in the first phase has neared completion and that compensation has been paid to them.
“Now, the state government is ready to submit the detailed project report for the second phase, which poses a bigger challenge for rehabilitation. Of the total 1,06,006 families identified for displacement in the second phase, compensation and rehabilitation measures are yet to be implemented for 67,946 families,” the official said.
He said Kantha Rao called for clearly defined targets for land acquisition and time-bound monthly targets for rehabilitation and resettlement activities. “Full compensation and rehabilitation of all affected families must be completed up to a perimeter of 45.72 meters before water is impounded,” he said.
Friday’s meeting also discussed steps to be taken to resolve sinking concerns raised by neighboring states, including Odisha, Chhattisgarh and Telangana. “The Central Water Commission has been directed to conduct joint surveys with these states to address their objections and clarify the extent of potential inundation impacts,” the official said.
In response to a query raised by Right to Information activist Ravi Kumar Enaganthi in March, the Union Ministry of Jal Sakthi indicated that the cost of the Polavaram project had been revised by Rs. $30,436.95 crore with water storage of +41.15 m under Phase I including land acquisition and R&D works.
“The project cost also includes all civil works of the project up to +45.72 metres. This means that the dam and canal works will be ready for the second phase as well, but water will be held only up to 41.15 metres. For the second phase, additional expenditure is required to cover land acquisition and R&D costs,” Inaganty said.
As per revised estimates at 2017-18 rates, the total cost of Polavaram project will be $Rs 47,725.74 crore includes R&D cost up to 45.72 metres, he said, citing the government’s response. “The state government will have to submit a new detailed report on the project for the second phase after completion of the CWC survey,” he added.
