TS objections invalid: AP

PNS | Hyderabad

Andhra Pradesh has claimed that Telangana’s objections to the proposed modifications of the Polavaram project are invalid.AP made its stance clear at a high-level meeting on Wednesday led by Polavaram Project Authority (PPA) CEO Chandrasekhar Iyer with representatives of the Central Water Association, ENCs as well as engineers from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh in attendance.

Telangana ENC Muralidhar stated that he had mentioned about the flood in the state due to the backwaters of Polavaram.AP Water Resources Department Principal Secretary Shasibhushan Kumar spoke to the media after the meeting on Wednesday. He said that there was no truth in reports that PPA had decided to conduct a joint study on the Polavaram project. He clarified that there would be no joint study on the original project.

Telangana ENC Muralidhar, while speaking to media persons after the PPA meeting, said that other states had already raised some issues on Polavaram. He said that everything would be taken into consideration.

According to the orders of the Supreme Court, the Central Water Board will conduct the study. ENC Muralidhar stated that appropriate action would be taken after the joint survey. However, Shasibhushan Kumar said that the PPA only said that if the Telangana government expressed its opinion on the matter, it would be considered.

He said that the PPA only suggested discussion with all the states so as to arrive at a consensus.As per the Centre, there will be a meeting of the Chief Ministers of the states. Land acquisition was also discussed at the meeting.

Shasibhushan Kumar said that another 30 to 40 thousand acres would have to be acquired in the second phase of the project. A schedule for this would be prepared. The objectives and resources of the Polavaram works were discussed at the meeting. He said that works were planned and approved during the working season.

Sasibhushan Kumar said that the lower cofferdam work would be completed by the end of January. The diaphragm wall would be tested before the start of the main dam work. He said that the main dam works would be brought to the ground level by June 2023.

The main dam gap works would be completed by December 2023. Permission for the works was given only after studying everything regarding the Polavaram project, he maintained. He said that the authorities want to shift the PPA office to Rajamahendravaram. So, they were looking for a suitable building for the office in the city.