Muralidhar, the Engineer-in-Chief (General) of the I&CAD Department, has sent a letter to the Chairman of the Central Water Commission expressing concern about the backwater effect of the Polavaram Project and the inaction of the Polavaram Project Authority (PPA)/Andhra Pradesh after the furnishing of data by the PPA necessitating a joint survey.
In this context, the CWC is requested to direct the concerned state to commence the process of ground-truthing immediately through a survey with or without involving AP under the aegis of the PPA as per the time frame fixed by the Supreme Court.
The Telangana government in its letter drew attention to the proceedings of the three technical meetings held on October 7, 2022, January 25, 2023, and April 3, 2023, and the Coordination meeting held on April 12, 2023, where it was agreed and decided to exchange data by both AP and Telangana for facilitating ground-truthing by conducting a joint survey under the aegis of the PPA. The PPA facilitated the exchange of data between AP and Telangana.
The letter drew attention to letter 2 cited in which it was brought to the notice the following aspects for immediate action in view of the forthcoming monsoon: Issue of Area coming under submergence due to FRL condition.
The letter said that AP furnished the data on FRL submersion in Telangana territory. It is estimated that an area of 954.15 acres would come in the submergence zone under the FRL condition of the Polavaram project. The PPA was requested for immediate ground-truthing for taking suitable protection measures as per GWDTA provisions.
The letter said the issue of demarcation of the area affected due to the drainage congestion of Kinnerasani and Murredu Vagu Rivers as per the CWC report consequent to NGT orders was also raised.
The CWC furnished the drainage congestion report of Kinnerasani and Murreduvagu Rivers in June 2021. It requested demarcation of the areas of drainage stagnation of the above rivers for taking protection measures.
The issue of drainage congestion in seven local streams joining the Godavari downstream of Dummugudem anicut was also raised.
The letter requested immediate ground-truthing of areas coming under submergence due to the FRL condition in seven major identified local streams for taking suitable protection measures in the first instance. Subsequently, a similar exercise needs to be extended for the remaining 30 local streams.
It was requested to verify important levels in Bhadrachalam town (including eight Outfall Sluices & a historic temple) and near (Manuguru) the Heavy Water Plant by undertaking a joint survey immediately.
A joint survey was requested regarding the formation of protective bunds as per the recommendations of the approved DPR–2010 of the Polavaram Project Report.
So far no action has been taken by the PPA or AP even two weeks after data was furnished by AP and only around 25 days are left for the onset of monsoon for undertaking the survey.
