Chandrababu Seeks Centre’s Full Support For Polavaram Project Completion
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu urged the Centre to extend financial and administrative support for completing the Polavaram project before the 2027 Godavari Pushkaralu celebrations.
- Chandrababu discusses Polavaram project with Union Minister
- Centre urged to support Polavaram completion works
- Andhra Pradesh seeks irrigation and water project funds
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu met Union Jal Shakti Minister C R Patil in New Delhi and requested complete support from the Centre for the speedy completion of the Polavaram project.
During the meeting, Chandrababu explained that the state government is aiming to complete the prestigious irrigation project before the 2027 Godavari Pushkaralu. He said the project is crucial for the irrigation and drinking water needs of several regions in Andhra Pradesh.
The Chief Minister informed the Union Minister that he had personally visited the project site five times to review the ongoing construction works. He stated that the new diaphragm wall construction was completed by April 2, 2026, while key earth cum rock fill dam works in Gap 1 and Gap 2 are progressing rapidly.
Chandrababu also urged the Centre to permanently withdraw the stop work orders issued in 2011 due to pending public hearings in Odisha and Chhattisgarh. According to him, removing these restrictions would help accelerate the remaining project works without legal or administrative hurdles.
The Andhra Pradesh government additionally requested reimbursement of funds after increasing the carrying capacity of the right and left canals to 17500 cusecs to meet growing irrigation demands. The Chief Minister sought further financial assistance for pending irrigation and modernization projects under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana.
He appealed for the release of Rs 285 crore for restoration and modernization of 297 water resources across the state. The works include strengthening bunds, desilting canals, repairing tanks and improving irrigation infrastructure under the Har Khet Ko Pani programme.
Chandrababu also raised concerns regarding the proposal to increase the height of the Almatti dam in Karnataka. He requested the Union Minister not to issue any gazette notification until the Supreme Court delivers its final judgment, stating that the height increase could negatively impact Andhra Pradesh water interests.
The Chief Minister further sought approvals for the Polavaram Banakacherla Link Project, which aims to divert nearly 200 TMC floodwater from the Godavari river that currently flows into the sea unused. He said the project would help address water shortages in Rayalaseema and South Coastal Andhra regions.
In his representation to the Union Jal Shakti Ministry, Chandrababu also requested support for the Neradi Barrage project on the Vamsadhara river and urged Odisha to cooperate in land acquisition required for related infrastructure works.
