In a significant move, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu unveiled a white paper on the Polavaram project at an event in Amaravati today. Addressing the gathering, Chandrababu emphasized that previous political allegations against the project were based on limited information. Now, with his administration in power, he aims to provide the public with a clear and accurate understanding of the project’s status. Chandrababu expressed his intent to seek input from intellectuals, experts, the media, and various sections of the public to ensure the successful advancement of the Polavaram project.
“The people have won the elections, and now it is our responsibility to sustain the state. We will not hesitate to take responsibility, but we also need the cooperation of the people. That is why we are releasing white papers on seven issues over the next 25 days,” said Chandrababu. He outlined plans to complete discussions on all major issues before the assembly session, where the budget will be presented. Additionally, Chandrababu highlighted the need to secure funds for these issues during the Lok Sabha session. All activities in the irrigation sector will be documented and made available on the government’s website to counter false narratives and provide transparency.
The white paper, divided into two parts, addresses the Polavaram project and other critical irrigation projects. Chandrababu underscored the essential role of irrigation projects in the state’s development, revealing that Rs 67,000 crore was invested in such projects from 2014 to 2019. However, he lamented the current neglect of these projects, with even maintenance costs not being met. The Polavaram project, described as the lifeline for the state’s development, is crucial for compensating for the losses incurred during the state’s bifurcation. It has been granted national status under the Bifurcation Act and is vital for the interlinking of rivers. Chandrababu criticized Jagan’s handling of the project, calling it an unforgivable crime.
Chandrababu detailed Polavaram’s goals to make Andhra Pradesh a drought-free state by utilizing the 3,000 TMC of water currently wasted in the sea and providing affordable hydropower. The project can store 194 TMC of water and utilize up to 322 TMC, including floodwaters, irrigating 7.2 lakh acres of land and providing drinking water to 28.50 lakh people. The project also promises to generate 960 MW of power, support water tourism, and ensure water availability for industries. Chandrababu emphasized that Polavaram has been a long-standing aspiration since 1941 and can prevent floods by diverting the flow of 50 lakh cusecs.
Highlighting the technical details, Chandrababu mentioned that the Polavaram project’s diameter wall depth is 90 meters, with gates 20 meters high and 16 meters wide. It is the largest project in terms of construction, featuring 390 km long right and left canals. During the TDP regime, the project achieved a Guinness World Record for the volume of concrete work completed in 24 hours. Chandrababu recounted efforts made to merge seven submerged mandals into Andhra Pradesh before taking his oath. Between 2014 and 2019, 72% of the Polavaram project was completed, with Rs 11,762 crore spent and an expenditure of Rs 55,548 crore approved under DPR-II.
However, since the YSRCP government took power, only 4% of the work has been completed, with just Rs 4,167 crore spent. Chandrababu criticized the halt in progress, which occurred on the day of Jagan’s swearing-in ceremony. A team from IIT Hyderabad found that the diaphragm wall was damaged due to floods in August 2020, exacerbated by gaps in the coffer dam. The Jagan administration has failed to address this issue, even after two years.
