TDP spokesperson Dr. Dasari Shyam Chandra Seshu said the coalition government has revived the Polavaram Project, accelerated construction and is targeting completion by June 2027.
Mangalagiri: The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) on Tuesday claimed that the coalition government led by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has restored momentum to the Polavaram Project and is working towards completing it by June 2027.
Addressing a press conference at the TDP Central Office in Mangalagiri, State spokesperson Dr. Dasari Shyam Chandra Seshu alleged that the project suffered major setbacks during the previous YSRCP government's tenure between 2019 and 2024. He claimed the delay in execution resulted in extensive damage, including the washing away of the diaphragm wall, and accused the previous administration of neglecting the project.
Dr. Seshu said the coalition government immediately prioritised Polavaram after assuming office and has accelerated construction. He stated that the government has rebuilt the diaphragm wall at a cost of Rs.990 crore and secured Rs.12,157 crore from the Central Government to expedite the remaining works.
Highlighting the government's rehabilitation efforts, he said Rs.2,250 crore has been directly transferred to the bank accounts of displaced tribal families over the past two years as part of the Rehabilitation and Resettlement programme.
The TDP spokesperson said Chandrababu Naidu had consistently monitored the project during his previous tenure and claimed that nearly 72 percent of the project was completed between 2014 and 2019. According to him, the coalition government has completed another 15 percent of the remaining works in the last two years.
Describing Polavaram as one of India's largest multipurpose irrigation projects, Dr. Seshu said it would provide drinking water to 28.5 lakh people, irrigate 7.5 lakh hectares of agricultural land and generate 960 MW of hydroelectric power upon completion. He added that the project would also support the Uttarandhra Sujala Sravanthi scheme by supplying 40 TMC of water for industrial and drinking purposes in Visakhapatnam.
Dr. Seshu also challenged YSRCP leaders for a public debate on Polavaram and other irrigation projects, asserting that the coalition government remained committed to completing the project within the announced timeline.
