Minister for Water Resources Management Nimmala Ramanaidu has directed engineers and officials to expedite the works of the Polavaram project and ensure its completion by October 2026.
The Minister laid the foundation stone, performed ‘bhoomipooja’, and unveiled plaques for various development works at Neredumilli, Penumuru, Kadupalem, Gumparru, and Shiragarapalli villages in Yelamanchili mandal of West Godavari district on Tuesday.
Speaking on the occasion, Ramanaidu reiterated that the Polavaram project is the lifeline of Andhra Pradesh, crucial for making the State drought-free and boosting financial resources. He stated that the civil works of the project must be completed by June 2026, and water impoundment should begin in the same season.
“The works to construct a new diaphragm wall, replacing the damaged one, will commence on January 2, 2025. The engineering officials have assured completion by March 2026, but the Government has set a stricter deadline of December 2025,” the Minister said.
He further revealed that while engineers proposed completing the ECRF Gap-1 work by February 2026 and Gap-2 by December 2027, the Government has instructed officials to fast-track these works for completion by July 2026.
Highlighting the delays under the previous regime, Ramanaidu claimed that 72 per cent of the Polavaram works had been completed by 2019. However, during the five-year YSRCP tenure, only 3.84 per cent progress was made. He alleged that Rs 2,400 crore was wasted due to the negligence of the previous government, which also burdened the State with debts amounting to Rs 14 lakh crore.
Promising to put the State back on the path of development, the Minister underlined key achievements of the current government, such as enhancing social security pensions to Rs 4,000, announcing the mega DSC, reopening of ‘Anna canteens’, and implementing the free gas cylinder scheme. Several officials and local leaders were present at the event.
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