PBLP needs revision of Polavaram project DPR as it changes scope: GRMB to CWC
The Godavari River Management Board (GRMB) has observed that the diversion of an additional 200 tmc ft water from Polavaram Project planned by Andhra Pradesh through the proposed Polavaram-Banakacherla Link Project (PBLP) will change the scope of the project (Polavaram) and it requires the revision of the detailed project report of the Polavaram dam.
In its observations on the pre-feasibility report (PFR) sent to the Central Water Commission, the river board noted that the DPR of Polavaram project was approved by the Advisory Committee of the Department of Water Resources on January 20, 2009 and the changes planned now needs to be placed before the same for approval again.
'The diversion of 2 tmc ft water per day from Polavaram dam may lead to modification of the operation schedule of Polavaram project as per the agreement of April 2, 1980 between the erstwhile States of Madhya Pradesh, Orissa and Andhra Pradesh. Any change in the operational schedule shall be made only after consultation with the three erstwhile States', the GRMB said in its communication sent to the CWC.
With regard to diversion of Godavari waters to the Krishna Basin, the river board stated that it was agreed by the States that if the diversion at 75% dependability exceeds the quantity of 80 tmc ft due to the diversion of Godavari water from Polavaram to the Krishna Basin, such excess quantity shall also be shared among the upper riparian States — erstwhile A.P. (Telangana), Karnataka and Maharashtra in the same proportion as 80 tmc ft is shared among them.
Further, it suggested that the CWC may take care of the provisions of GWDT and KWDT Awards which refer to the river augmentation of Krishna with diversion of water from any other river and the State (A.P.) needs to clarify whether the proposed project (PBLP) will utilised surplus water or flood water of Godavari.
The river board noted that the AP Reorganisation Act stipulates regulation of river water to the successor States having regard to awards of the tribunals. In case GWDT did not quantify the water availability in Godavari Basin and apportioned among the basin States, agreements between the co-basin States were made part of it. Thus, 'there is no apportionment of Godavari water allocated to erstwhile A.P. between the successor States by any tribunal nor any mutual agreement between them and CWC may take note of it'.
The PFR mentioned that the cost estimate of the project does not include the cost of creation of infrastructure for the new ayacut of 3 lakh hectares (7,41,315 acres). But the DPR shall include all components while arriving at the total cost of the project. The river board also urged the CWC to ensure the committed utilisations of existing, ongoing and contemplated projects of both the States (Telangana, A.P.).
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


New Indian Express
7 hours ago
- New Indian Express
Pink party to intensify struggle for farmer rights
HYDERABAD: Alleging that the state government has failed to avert agrarian crisis in the state, the Opposition BRS has announced its decision to intensify its struggle for the cause of farmers. The BRS also called upon the party cadre to launch protests across the state against the Polavaram-Banakacherla Link Project proposed by the government of Andhra Pradesh. BRS president and former chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao gave direction to cadre during a meeting held at his farmhouse in Erravalli on Tuesday. BRS working president KT Rama Rao, former ministers T Harish Rao and G Jagadish Reddy were among those who attended the meeting.


News18
2 days ago
- News18
Centre says no construction started on Polavaram-Banakacherla project
New Delhi, Jul 28 (PTI) The Centre on Monday clarified that construction work on the controversial Polavaram-Banakacherla Link Project has not begun yet, even as the Telangana government continues to raise serious objections to it. In a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha, the Ministry of Jal Shakti said that the Government of Andhra Pradesh has submitted only a Preliminary Feasibility Report (PFR) for the project. 'As informed by the GoAP, the work pertaining to the Polavaram-Banakacherla Link Project has not yet been taken up," said Minister of State for Jal Shakti Raj Bhushan Choudhary. The Polavaram-Banakacherla project, part of a broader river interlinking initiative, has sparked tensions between Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, with the latter repeatedly voicing concerns over its potential impact on water availability and interstate water-sharing agreements. Asked whether the Centre would issue a stop work order in light of Telangana's objections, the minister said the question does not arise as no work has commenced. However, he acknowledged that the government had received representations from Telangana and assured that a techno-economic appraisal is underway. The project is being assessed by the Central Water Commission in consultation with all concerned authorities and co-basin states. PTI UZM RT RT view comments First Published: July 28, 2025, 20:45 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.


The Hindu
4 days ago
- The Hindu
KTR, Harish tell BRS students wing to educate people on injustice to TG on river waters issue
Senior leaders of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) have asked the student wing leaders of the party (BRS Vidyarthi) to educate the youth and people on how Congress, Bharatiya Janata Party and Telugu Desam Party have been lying about the Polavaram-Banakacherla Link Project (PBLP) being taken up by Andhra Pradesh at the cost of Telangana's rights. Giving a PowerPoint presentation to the members of BRSV on Kaleshwaram and PBLP at the meeting here on Saturday, working president K.T. Rama Rao and senior leader T. Harish Rao said the responsibility of educating people, particularly the student community and the youth is on BRSV., and reminded them how students and youth had played a key role in the statehood movement. They explained to the BRSV members how party president K. Chandrasekhar Rao had encouraged youth in politics and how he, as the Chief Minister, had achieved 95% quota to Telangana youth in jobs by getting the Presidential Order amended. Stating that the commitment of Mr. Revanth Reddy to Telangana was exposed in his refusal even to utter 'Jai Telangana' slogan, they alleged that the Chief Minister is trying to erase the memories of Statehood movement. With the help of the PowerPoint presentation, Mr. Harish Rao explained to them how the Pothireddypadu Head Regulator and Banakacherla Cross Regulator are proving to be a death knell to the river water interests of Telangana. He sought to know when there was no clarity on the assured water in Godavari Basin, how can A.P. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu say that they would only utilise floodwater. Mr. Rama Rao said despite getting 18 clearances and permissions to utilise 240 tmc ft with Kaleshwaram project, the Naidu government had opposed it along with other projects by writing several letters to the Centre and other agencies. He had also opposed 967 tmc ft assured water of Godavari to Telangana, Mr. Rama Rao said, and added that Mr. Chandrasekhar Rao had written to the Centre in 2020 itself seeking 1950 tmc ft water out of an average 3,000 tmc ft Godavari water flowing into sea. Party leaders G. Jagadish Reddy, Deshapathi Srinivas, Gellu Srinivas Yadav and others spoke.