HYDERABAD

The Telangana Government has requested the Polavaram Project Authority (PPA) to restrain Andhra Pradesh from taking up Phase II of the project to increase the height of the dam to 45.72 metres, keeping in view the submergence and backwater effect on the upper riparian State of Telangana.

In a letter addressed to the Chief Executive Officer of PPA, Engineer-in-Chief of Telangana O.V. Ramesh Babu stated that it was agreed during the four technical meetings chaired by the Central Water Commission Chairman for taking up a joint survey in Telangana with respect to the area under submergence with the full reservoir level (FRL) condition of Polavaram, demarcation of areas affected due to drainage congestion in Kinnerasani and Murreduvagu rivulets, as per the directions of the National Green Tribunal in 2019.

Further, it was consented to study the drainage congestion in about seven major streams out of 36 streams joining the Godavari river in Telangana and verification of levels in Bhadrachalam town, including eight outfall regulators and the temple and also the Manuguru Heavy Water Plant in Telangana.

He pointed out that during the special meetings with Telangana and A.P. in April 2025 and in the subsequent meetings, it was clarified that the Polavaram Irrigation Project is being executed in two phases with pondage up to 41.15 metres (MDDL - minimum draw down level) in Phase I and up to 45.72 metre FRL in Phase II.

It was also stated that necessary steps would be undertaken to address issues of submergence, drainage stagnation of local drains/streams while falling into the main river course at pondage up to 41.15 metres.

It was further stated that similar steps would be initiated while undertaking Phase II works and accordingly, survey work on the identified 6 local streams is underway by the Krishna-Godavari Basin Organisation under the aegis of PPA.

However, A.P. was reportedly planning to take up phase-two works on priority basis to ensure pondage up to FRL of 45.72 metres. It has become imperative for Telangana that the joint survey for the submergence to an extent of 954 acres due to pondage at FRL is also to be undertaken as consented already be taken up and completed without further loss of time and ensure that no further work is taken up as part of Phase II of the project without protection measures to the areas identified for possible submergence at FRL.