No construction work started on Polavaram-Banakacherla project: Centre rebuts Telangana govt

New Delhi: The Centre has clarified that no construction work has commenced on the proposed Polavaram-Banakacherla Link Project.

This comes after the Telangana government raised objections about the project and its potential impact on inter-state water sharing.

Responding to a question in the Rajya Sabha, the Ministry of Jal Shakti stated that the Government of Andhra Pradesh (GoAP) has only submitted a Preliminary Feasibility Report (PFR) for the controversial project and that physical work has not yet begun.

Written reply by Jal Shakti Minister

“As informed by the GoAP, the work about the Polavaram–Banakacherla Link Project has not yet been taken up,” said Minister of State for Jal Shakti, Raj Bhushan Choudhary, in a written reply.

The proposed project is part of the broader National River Linking Project (NRLP) aimed at inter-basin water transfer, but it has triggered political and technical debates, especially from Telangana, which has consistently flagged concerns over water availability and the violation of inter-state water-sharing agreements.

No Scope for stop-work order yet, says Centre

When asked whether the Centre would issue a stop-work order in response to Telangana’s objections, the minister stated that the question does not arise at this stage, since no construction activity has commenced.

However, the minister acknowledged that the Union government has received official representations from the Telangana government regarding the project.

Appraisal by Central Water Commission in progress

The project is currently undergoing a techno-economic appraisal by the Central Water Commission (CWC) in coordination with all concerned authorities and co-basin States. Officials have indicated that any further steps will depend on the outcome of this assessment and the response from the stakeholder states.

Background: A Contentious Interlinking Plan

The Polavaram–Banakacherla Link Project aims to divert water from the Godavari basin to the Krishna basin, as part of the national interlinking initiative. Telangana has strongly opposed the plan, arguing that it could disrupt existing water-sharing balances and deprive its regions of rightful access to Godavari waters.

The clarification by the Centre is seen as a move to diffuse tensions, even as expert consultations and interstate negotiations continue, irrigation experts said.