ELURU: Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has said Polavaram project across Godavari river will be the next biggest project to be dedicated to the nation after Sardar Sarovar Dam on Narmada river in Gujarat.
Speaking to mediapersons after inspecting the Polavaram works at the project site at Ramayyapeta village in Polavaram mandal on Monday, the Chief Minister said: “I am conducting virtual inspection and visiting the Polavaram project site regularly to ensure its completion as per schedule. Polavaram project is the lifeline of Andhra Pradesh which ensures economic prosperity of the State once it is completed.”
Speaking on the project outlay, he said: “We have submitted the revised project estimates of `50,000 crore to the Centre for 100 per cent funding. Out of the total project outlay, `32,000 crore is meant for land acquisition and relief and rehabilitation of the displaced. We will give the best Relief and Rehabilitation package to the displaced people of Polavaram project under the Land Acquisition Act, 2013. A sum of `7,000 crore has been spent on the project so far. The Centre has given `1,000 crore for the project. The works relating to 960 MW hydel power house , iconic bridge, cofferdam and ECRF dam will begin by October. Tenders for the power house construction will be invited soon. After completion of the cofferdam, water will be released to the Polavaram right and left canals through gravity.’’
About 2.7 lakh cubic metres of the concrete work has been completed so far out of the total 32 lakh cubic metres.
About 550-metre length of diaphragm wall has been constructed so far. Out of the total 53 locks of spillway, 39 have been arranged so far. The remaining will be completed by November. “We are trying to speed up the Polavaram project works further to be ahead of the construction schedule,” he said.
Water Resources Minister Devineni Umamaheswara Rao, Engineer-in-Chief M Venkateswara Rao, Polavaram project Chief Engineer VS Ramesh Babu, District Collector K Bhaskar and other officials accompanied the Chief Minister during his visit to the Polavaram project site.
Project outlay
Rs 50,000 cr
Revised estimates
Rs 32,000 cr
Land acquisition and relief and rehabilitation for the displaced
Rs 7,000 cr
Sum spent on the project so far