AP committed to execute Polavaram Dam at height of 45.72 meters: Minister

In reply to queries raised by members Duvvarapu Rama Rao, B. Tirumala Naidu and Thota Trimurthulu during Question Hour in the Legislative Council here on Friday, the minister alleged that the previous YSRC government had diverted the Central funds to the tune of Rs 3,385 crore meant for the Polavaram project. Drawing a comparison in progress of works during the previous Telugu Desam regime in 2014-19 and the previous YSRC regime in 2019-24, the minister said the TD government spent Rs 11,762 crore on the project and completed nearly 72 per cent of the works and got approval for nearly Rs 55,548 crore for the execution of the project while the previous YSRC regime spent only Rs 4,167 crore for the project and completed works only to the tune of 3.84 per cent, planned to construct dam at a height of 41.15 metres in phase-1 and declared the project site as a banned area against the TD’s move to promote it as a tourism centre and even received acclaim from the Centre.

The minster explained the schedule to take up the project works by the TD-led NDA government by saying that works on new diaphragm wall would begin in January 2025 and to be completed by March 2026 will preparatory works on ECRF dam would also be taken up simultaneously along with the D-wall.

He assured efforts to implement resettlement and rehabilitation package to the project affected people and also to provide relief for those who sacrificed their lands for the project and blamed the previous YSRC regime for not taking up any works on rehabilitation centres.

With regard to the component-wise progress of works during 2019-24, the minister said the head works were completed to the tune of 6.96 per cent, left main canal-2.08 per cent and right main canal 1.61 per cent. He said Rs 273.48 crore to be paid for various works done up to the end of October 2024 while the balance works would be completed by December 2027.