Invite tenders for Polavaram–Banakacherla project by June-end, CM tells Water Resources Dept.

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu pushes for Polavaram project progress, funding, and efficient water resource management in Andhra Pradesh.

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu instructed the officials of the Water Resources Department (WRD) to undertake the Polavaram–Banakacherla and other irrigation projects under the Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM) and finalise the tenders by the end of this month while securing forest and environmental clearances in a time-bound manner. 

Addressing a review meeting at the Secretariat near here on Friday, Mr. Chandrababu Naidu said the officials should take steps for land acquisition for the Polavaram–Banakacherla project and that it would be undertaken by the Jal Harathi Corporation. Proposals for funding were sent to the Central government. 

Out of the total project cost of ₹81,900 crore, a sum of ₹40,950 crore would be sought as an EAP (External Aided Project) loan, and ₹16,380 crore as grants from the Central government. The State would mobilise ₹16,380 crore under HAM and contribute ₹8,190 crore as equity. 

The Chief Minister wanted the diaphragm wall of the Polavaram project to be completed by the end of December 2025 and noted that the overall civil works were completed to the extent of 81.70%, of which a measly progress of 3.84% was achieved under the YSR Congress Party rule. 

Further, Mr. Naidu told the officials to take immediate steps to commence agricultural activities in the Krishna and Godavari deltas and called for focus on increasing the groundwater levels, filling reservoirs, and efficient utilisation of water resources. He expressed dissatisfaction over the non-functioning of physio meters and AWS (Automatic Weather Station) sensors in some parts of the State and ordered that a sum of ₹30 crore be sanctioned immediately for purchasing new equipment. 

He stressed the need for scientific water auditing, and told the officials to issue district-level bulletins containing details of groundwater levels and water availability in the river basins. He suggested that ways to bring the Sileru river water to the Krishna delta be explored, and ordered that the Veligonda Stage - I works should be completed by June, 2026. 

At a media briefing, Water Resources Minister Nimmala Rama Naidu said the Chief Minister sought an action plan to curb the menace of flooding of Vijayawada city by the Budameru rivulet, which included widening the discharge capacity of its diversion channel from the present 17,500 cusecs to 37,500 cusecs.