Polavaram project to be completed by October 2026: CM Chandrababu

•    Diaphragm wall scheduled to begin on January 2
•    Two-phase completion plan for R&R package
•    State suffers a loss of up to Rs 15,000 crore due to delays in last 5 years
•    CM accuses YSRCP of destroying the project
Polavaram, December 16: Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu has announced a revised target for the completion of the Polavaram Irrigation Project, set for October 2026. The crucial diaphragm wall work, which is a key component of the project, is scheduled to begin on January 2, 2025, with plans to finish it by December 2025.

During an inspection of the project on Monday, CM Naidu explained the two-phase completion plan for the Rehabilitation and Resettlement (R&R) package. The first phase will address displaced families affected by flooding at a height of 41.15 meters, while the second phase will accommodate those affected by flooding at a height of 45.75 meters.

"Completing Polavaram and linking rivers will be a game changer for Andhra Pradesh," Naidu emphasized. He described the Polavaram project and the development of Amaravati as two critical pillars for the State, calling Polavaram the "lifeline" post bifurcation. He also stated that linking the Gollapalli and Banakacherla reservoirs in three phases will further enhance the state's irrigation infrastructure.

Naidu expressed frustration over the delay caused by the YSRCP government, which he accused of "destroying" the project. He highlighted that the diaphragm wall had been damaged due to the 2020 flood, primarily caused by the failure to construct the copper dam gap.

He also criticized the diversion of funds allocated by the Central government and claimed that only 3.5 per cent of the civil works had been completed under the current government, compared to the 71.3 per cent completed under his leadership.

The CM added that the diaphragm wall's construction, initially completed by Bauer Company at a cost of Rs 460 crore, was now estimated to require an additional Rs 2,400 crore due to the damage sustained during the floods.

He also revealed that the initial phase of the project was sanctioned with Rs 12,150 crore by the Central government, but only Rs 2,150 crore had been disbursed so far.

CM Naidu remains optimistic about meeting the revised deadline. "We will complete the R&R package by 2026, and the water storage will be in place by then. Our target is to finish the entire project by October 2026," he affirmed. He also mentioned that while disputes with neighboring States may arise regarding river linkages, steps will be taken to resolve them.

Reflecting on the political landscape, Naidu stated, “Had the TDP been in power after 2019, the project would have been completed by 2021. The State has suffered a loss of up to Rs 15,000 crore due to the delay in execution over the last five years.

” He also pointed out that Telangana’s high per capita income was largely driven by Hyderabad, while the previous government had damaged both Polavaram and Amaravati. 

Naidu reiterated his earlier claims that all previous deadlines for the Polavaram project had been met and promised that work would be expedited to meet the new targets.