Godavari Water Diversion: Polavaram DPR Needs Rethink, Says GRMB

The Godavari River Management Board (GRMB) has recommended a revision of the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the Polavaram Project in light of Andhra Pradesh’s proposal to divert an additional 200 TMC ft of water through the proposed Polavaram–Banakacherla Link Project (PBLP).

The GRMB emphasized that this proposed diversion significantly alters the original scope of the project, which was previously approved by the Advisory Committee of the Department of Water Resources in January 2009. “The planned diversion of 2 TMC ft of water per day from the Polavaram dam could necessitate changes to the project’s operational schedule, as defined in the April 2, 1980 agreement between the former states of Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, and Andhra Pradesh. Any such changes must be undertaken in consultation with these states,” the GRMB stated in a communication to the Central Water Commission (CWC).

Additionally, the GRMB stressed that the transfer of Godavari water to the Krishna Basin must adhere to existing tribunal awards. Water in excess of 80 TMC ft at 75% dependability must be equitably shared among Telangana, Karnataka, and Maharashtra.

The Board further noted that the revised DPR should account for infrastructure costs associated with the proposed irrigation of a new 3 lakh hectare ayacut (approximately 7,41,315 acres).

News by Rahul Yelligetti.