Polavaram project will be completed by March 2027, fully commissioned by December: CM Naidu

Polavaram: Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday said that all remaining works of the Polavaram Project would be completed by March 2027, with the goal of fully completing and commissioning the project by December 2027.

‘Project date setback by six years due to previous govt’

Speaking to the media after reviewing the project on Wednesday, CM Naidu said that delays and negligence by the previous government had pushed the project back by nearly six years and led to a steep escalation in costs.

He alleged that damage to the diaphragm wall was not addressed in time, resulting in an additional financial burden of about Rs 1,000 crore. Had the diaphragm wall been completed earlier, the entire work could have been finished at Rs 440 crore, he said.

CM Naidu announced that construction of the diaphragm wall would be completed by February 15. “The main dam was almost complete and efforts were underway to finish the embankment works by June this year. The ECRF Dam Gap-2 works have been directed to be completed by March next year,” he added.

‘Complete resettlement work in 12 months’

The Chief Minister also stressed the need to complete rehabilitation and resettlement works within 12 months and instructed officials to expedite land acquisition for the displaced families.

Highlighting the broader vision of the project, CM Naidu said the government was planning to develop the country’s largest inland waterways and improve connectivity through the Polavaram right and left canals, including tunnels.

Steps were being taken to accelerate the left canal works and Polavaram water would be supplied to Visakhapatnam, making Visakhapatnam and Anakapalle districts greener.

He added that minor irrigation tanks and check dams along the canal route would also be filled with Godavari waters.

Importance of Pattiseema project to Rayalaseema

Recalling the Pattiseema project, the Chief Minister said it was completed within a year and enabled the diversion of Godavari waters to the Krishna Delta, conserving Krishna water and facilitating its flow towards the border regions. This, he said, helped supply water to Rayalaseema and boosted the horticulture sector, with all reservoirs in the region now filled.

CM Naidu said that while only two per cent of the Polavaram Project was completed during the previous government’s five-year tenure, the TDP government had completed 72 per cent of the works between 2014 and 2019.

Stating that Polavaram was close to his heart, the Chief Minister said his dream was to complete the project, link rivers and make Andhra Pradesh drought-free.

CM Naidu seeks restraint on politics over Rayalaseema Lift Irrigation Project

CM Naidu slammed those who are misleading people on the Rayalaseema Lift Irrigation Project and demanded that politicians should refrain from politics that don’t serve the people.

The Chief Minister said that he wants to address the people of both Telugu states and wants unity between the two.

In a subtle response to those who are misrepresenting the facts on the issue, CM Naidu said that the political battles should serve public interest and not partisan gains. He further added that, “When politics is done for the sake of the people, it always yields positive results.”

Track record of irrigation projects in AP

Highlighting his track record, the CM recalled initiating major lift irrigation projects in Telangana, including Madhavareddy Lift Irrigation—then the highest lift in the country, followed by Kalwakurthy and Devadula projects.

He said modernisation of the Krishna Delta saved 20 TMC of water, enabling clearance for the Bhima Lift Irrigation Project. He also cited the Jurala Link Canal, which provided irrigation to 40,000 acres in Mahbubnagar during water-scarce periods, and projects like Alisagar on the Godavari.

Naidu tears into YSRCP for spreading falsehood & lies on Rayalaseema Lift Project,

Responding sharply to YSRCP’s allegations on the Rayalaseema Lift Irrigation Project, Naidu rebuked the opposition and said that they were indulging in “petty politics” by repeatedly spreading falsehoods on the issue.

“Repeating a lie a hundred times will not make it the truth,” he remarked.

The CM recalled that GO RT No. 203, granting administrative sanction for the project at an estimated cost of ₹3,825 crore was issued on May 5, 2020, but the project soon ran into legal hurdles. He said the National Green Tribunal (NGT), acting on a petition filed on May 15, 2020, questioned the absence of a feasibility report and mandatory clearances, and stayed the works on May 25, 2020.

Though YSRCP sought relief, the NGT only allowed preparation of the DPR and tendering on July 13, 2020, but later, on October 29, 2020, again stopped the works for lack of Environmental Clearance (EC). Despite clear orders not to proceed with ground works, the previous government allegedly continued activities, leading to fines, including ₹2.65 crore in March 2024, the CM said.

Naidu alleged that YSRCP spent ₹900 crore on contractors without doing meaningful work and paid ₹2,000–2,500 crore on projects without permissions, inviting an NGT fine of ₹100 crore, of which ₹25 crore was paid from public funds.