CM Naidu wants Polavaram diaphragm wall and dam taken up parallelly
VIJAYAWADA: Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu said their government will complete the Polavaram project by March 2028. As part of it, work on construction of the 1,396-metre-long new diaphragm wall will start in about two months in January 2025.
Reviewing various aspects related to construction of the Polavaram project at a high-level meeting with officials and representatives of construction companies, the CM wanted an iconic bridge to be constructed at Polavaram. He assured that all necessary permissions will be given immediately to restart Polavaram works on full scale.
Officials explained to Chandrababu Naidu details of the dewatering works ahead of undertaking the diaphragm wall works, designs of which have been sent to the Central Water Commission on the 24th of last month. The Chief Minister told officials that once the CWC approves the designs, work can start in January.
Chandrababu Naidu pointed to the effort involved in building the 1,396-metre-long diaphragm wall, whose width will be 1.5 metres and depth from surface will vary from 10 metres in some places to more than 90 metres at some parts of the Godavari River.
Officials said the diaphragm wall will be over a total area of 63,356 square metres. They pointed out that a workshop on technical issues is being held in this regard at Polavaram from Wednesday.
The Chief Minister suggested that officials must discuss with CWC the possibility of carrying out works on the diaphragm wall and ECRF dam works in parallel. Officials informed the CM that 77 per cent of the Polavaram left canal works have been completed so far. Tenders have been called for works worth ₹960 crore, which will start in December and be completed by July 2025.
Officials informed Chandrababu Naidu that ₹7,213 crore are required for land acquisition and relief and rehabilitation works during Phase I of the Polavaram project. They explained that 16,440 acres of land will still need to be acquired for completion of Phase 1. They assured that land acquisition will be completed by April 2025 and R&D works by April 2026.
The Chief Minister assured officials that funds required for the Polavaram project will be granted immediately.
