PNS | Vijayawada
The Ministry of Finance has given its approval for the release of an additional Rs 12,911 crore to facilitate the completion of the remaining works in Phase 1 of the Polavaram Irrigation Project. The announcement was made by Minister for Jal Shakti, Bisweshwar Tudu, in response to a question posed by YSRCP member V Vijayasai Reddy in the Rajya Sabha on Monday.
According to the written reply provided by Minister Tudu, the Finance Ministry conveyed its agreement on June 5 to disburse Rs 10,911.15 cr to enable the storage of water up to 41.15 m. Additionally, another sum of Rs 2,000 crore has been allocated for the purpose of repairing the damage caused by floods to the project’s structure.
MP Vijayasai Reddy had inquired whether the Ministry of Finance recently approved the allocation of Rs 12,911.15 crore for the Polavaram Project and when the Ministry would sanction the latest project cost. He also sought information on whether Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, Jagan Mohan Reddy, requested an ad hoc grant of Rs 10,000 crore to ensure timely completion of the project.
In response to these questions, Jal Shakti Minister Bisweshwar Tudu confirmed that the Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance, communicated its approval for additional funding for the completion of the balance work in the Polavaram Irrigation Project (PIP).
The funding includes Rs 10,911.15 crore for filling water up to the 41.15-m mark and Rs 2,000 crore for repairing damages caused by floods. However, the disbursement is subject to the approval of the Cabinet, which will modify the earlier Cabinet decision.
The Minister further informed that the Government of Andhra Pradesh submitted a revised cost estimate of Rs 17,144.06 crore for the balance works of Phase 1, required for the storage of water up to EL 41.15 meters. The proposal is currently under examination for speedy approval by the Government of India. However, no specific timeline has been set for this purpose.
In a separate letter dated July 15, the AP Chief Minister requested the sanction of an ad hoc grant amounting to Rs 10,000 crore to the Government of Andhra Pradesh, based on the PIP proposal submitted by the State government on March 15, 2022. The matter is also under consideration.
With the additional funding from the Ministry of Finance, the completion of Phase 1 of the Polavaram Irrigation Project is expected to progress effectively, providing a significant boost to irrigation and water management in the region.
