The Polavaram project is a highly prestigious one for the Andhra Pradesh state, as it would eradicate the water supply problems for the state. While the Central government is funding the project, the state government is executing the work under the supervision of the Polavaram Project Authority and the Union Jal Shakti ministry. Given its nationalised status, the project gained further prominence in the state. When everything seemed to be going fine, it now looks like the Polavaram Project is facing some major problems.
It has now been reported that the diaphragm wall of the project has been damaged. The wall was constructed by the TDP government, as the foundation of the project, to ensure a strong foundation. The YSRCP government erected the fates on top of this wall, and it is now being said that this damage occurred during the 2019 floods. Speaking to the media, Irrigation Minister Ambati Rambabu said that the spillway was not fully constructed by the TDP regime to take the floodwaters, which resulted in a faulty spillway, due to which the floodwaters damaged the diaphragm wall.
This damage was noticed by the officials who reported it to the Central government. The Polavaram Project Authority and the Union Jal Shakti Ministry have asked experts to visit the project site and see the damage and to send a report, based on which the next set of steps would be decided. Minster Rambabu expressed concern that the project might require an entirely new design if the damage is beyond repair, which might cost a lot more than the current estimate. It is now to be seen what will happen hereon.