POLAVARAM IRRIGATION PROJECT – The Life Line of AP

PART-I
Introduction:
Polavaram Irrigation Project (PIP) is a Multipurpose Terminal Reservoir Project on the
River Godavari, near Ramayyapeta Village, Polavaram Mandal of Eluru District located 42 Km
upstream of Sir Arthur Cotton Barrage at Dowlaiswaram, considered as the lifeline of the State.
Reservoir Gross Capacity 194.6 TMC at Full Reservoir Level (FRL) : +45.72 M
Utilization of water 322.73 TMC

Benefits:
New Ayacut :7.2 Lakh Acres; (Right Main Canal- 3.2 LakhAcres; Left Main Canal -4.0
LakhAcres) and Stabilization of 23.5 Lakh acres under Godavari and Krishna Delta
Systems.
Diversion of 80 TMC of Godavari water to Krishna River (Prakasam Barrage)
Hydro Power: 960 Mega Watt (MW)
Domestic & Industrial water Supply: 23.44 TMC of water to the habitations and industries
in and around Vishakhapatnam City including Vizag steel plant.
Drinking water Facility to 540 villages for a population of 28.5 Lakh enroute canals.
Truly a National Project: Benefits six states
80 TMC of diverted water to Krishna River will be shared between Andhra Pradesh,
Karnataka, Maharashtra in the ratio of 45 TMC, 21 TMC, 14 TMC respectively.
Odisha and Chhattisgarh can utilize 5 TMC and 1.5 TMC of water respectively from
backwaters of Reservoir.
Main Components of the Project:
Head Works:
Spillway (1118m) with radial gates (48 Nos)
Approach Channel (2100m), Spill Channel (2920m) & Pilot Channel (1000m)
Earth-cum-Rock Fill Dam (ECRF) - Gap 1 – 564m, Gap II – 1750 m&Concrete
Dam - Gap III – 162m
Coffer Dams: Upstream (2340m) & Downstream (1637m)
Hydro-electric Power House (960 MW)
Connectivity works from reservoir to Main canal Off-takes
Main Canals:
PIP Right Main canal– (178.812 Km)
PIP Left Main Canal-(212.32 Km)
Distributary system to create an Irrigation Potential (IP) of 7.20 Lakh Acres.
Chronology of Events:
Polavaram Reservoir –Conceived inthe year 1941.
Preliminary investigation was carried out during 1942-1944.
The proposals with Full Reservoir Level ranging from +170 ft to +208 ft with a storage
capacity ranging from 340 TMC to 700 TMC were examined.
Thirteen possible sites were investigated and finally the alignment of Sri Ramapada
Sagar site was selected.
In due course, Sri Ramapada Sagar Project is renamed as Indira Sagar Polavaram Project
and later renamed as Polavaram Irrigation Project.
Polavaram Irrigation project is a multipurpose terminal reservoir project located at 42
Km upstream of Sir Arthur Cotton Barrage at Dowlaiswaram on the River Godavari,
near Ramayyapeta Village, Polavaram Mandal of Eluru District.
The project is strictly in accordance with the provision of Interstate agreement
Dt.02.04.1980 concluded among co-basin states and the Godavari water disputes
Tribunal (GWDT) Award 1980.The GWDT directed the construction of Polavaram
irrigation project for storage of water at Full Reservoir Levelof 150 ft (+45.72 m)

Declaration as ‘National Project’:

In the year 2014, the State of Andhra Pradesh is divided into two States and the
Government of India, recognizing the importance of the Polavaram Irrigation Project,
declared it as ‘National Project’ as per Section-90 of A.P. Reorganization Act, 2014
(APR Act 2014) The Central Government shall execute the project and obtain all requisite
clearances including environmental, forests, and rehabilitation and resettlement
norms.Union Cabinet accorded its approval for grants-in-aid under the scheme for the
National Project vide Cabinet Note Dt. 29.04.2014.
 Transfer of 7 Mandals to Successor state of Andhra Pradesh: Due to the endeavours of
the Hon’ble Chief Minister Sri Nara Chandra Babu Naidu Garu, the then Union
Government (2014-19) in its 1st Cabinet Meeting, approved amendment to Section (3) of
APRAct 2014 to transfer (7) mandals of Telangana State, coming under the submergence
zone of Polavaram Irrigation Project to the Successor State of Andhra Pradesh, which
paved the way for smooth execution of the project.
While the matter stood thus, the Ministry of Finance, Government of India (GoI) issued
orders vide F.No.1(2)/PF-I/2014 (Pt), Dt:30.09.2016 that, in view of recommendations of
the Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog it will be appropriate for the State of Andhra Pradesh to
execute this project (as it is an important project and the State Government is keen to
complete it at the earliest).
The Ministry of Finance, Govt. of India has also stated that Government of India will
provide 100% of the remaining cost of the irrigation component only of the project for the
period starting from 1.4.2014, to the extent of the cost of the Irrigation component on that
date.
The Union Cabinet on 15.03.2017 has given its approval for the special assistance
measure for Andhra Pradesh state by way of special dispensation in funding of Externally
aided Projects (EAPs) and funding of irrigation component of Polavaram Irrigation Project
as stipulated in the aforesaid order of Ministry of Finance (MoF), Government of India
dated 30.09.2016.
Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) Clearance was accorded for the Revised Cost
Estimate (RCE)-II for Rs.55548.87 crores at 2017-18 Price Level (PL) in 141 stTechnical
Advisory Committee meeting held on 11.02.2019. The total cost of the project at 2017-18
price level inclusive of Polavaram Project Authority (PPA) charges (Rs.108 crores) is
Rs.55656.87 crores.
The Revised Cost Committee (RCC), constituted by the Department of
Expenditurerecommended the 2nd Revised estimated cost at 2013-14 Price Level and at
2017-18 Price Level as given in the below table on Dt:3.6.2020.
Rs. In Crs.
2010-11 PL 2013-14 PL 2017-18 PL
Component As As per As
As per As per Recommended CWC Recommended
TAC CWC by the
141st TAC by RCC
Committee
Irrigation 9307.54 20398.61 35950.16
26158.04 51095.96
Water Supply 2986.86 4068.43 7214.67

Power 3716.05 4560.91 4560.91 4560.91 4560.91

Total 16010.45 30718.95 29027.95 55656.87 47725.74

Investment clearance proposals have been submitted to the Government of India.

Present Status of Construction of the Polavaram Irrigation Project

Focussed approach to Polavaram project from 2014-19

As on 2014, there was very poor progress of work as government focus was lacking. Various
components of work were languishing at very low levels of progress in spite of the fact that
project works were started in 2004. Under these adverse circumstances, the new government
took stock of the situation and placed great emphasis on the project works.

After discussions with the executing agency and the Government of India, works were kick
started. In these five years, the Hon’ble Chief Minister visited the project works 31 times and
104 virtual and Hybrid review meetings were conducted to understand and push progress of
work.

Due to the fact that the project is technically complex and that the quantum of works is very
large, the Government decided to treat every ‘somavaaram’ as polavaaram. In order to ensure
that the entire project is delivered to the people of the state well in time, all components which
were advised to be taken up in parallel were taken up simultaneously. An example of the
commitment of the Government may be seen in the fact that 32215 Cubic metres of concrete
work was completed in the project, which is a Guinness world record.

The construction of the D-wall was completed in 414 days under the supervision of the
Polavaram Project Authority, a Govt of India Agency. The design and erection of spillway gates
were taken up and brisk progress was achieved.

All works were taken up after approval of Designs and methodology by Dam Design Review
Panel (DDRP) and Central Water Commission, both Government of India Agencies.

Even though the newly formed state of AP was financially stressed, the state Government did
not allow the project to suffer and all required financial resources were provided without any
delay, and without waiting for release of funds from the Government of India.
 PART-II

Comparison of Progress of Polavaram Irrigation Project

Component Till May 2019 Till May 2024

Civil Works 71.93% 75.77%

PIP Head Works 65.67% 72.63%
PIPRMC 91.14% 92.75%
PIPLMC 70.99% 73.07%
LA and R&R 18.66% 22.55%
Expenditure in Rs.
16493.18 21489.71
Crore

From the above table it is clear that the progress of Civil works of the project during the period
from 5/2019 to 5/2024 is only 3.84 %. In respect of both Right Main Canal and Left Main Canal
practically no work was carried out during thisperiod except clearing some pending payments.
The works pertaining to Distributory network under Main canals are not yet commenced and
even DPR is not finalised.

Under Land Acquisition (LA) and Rehabilitation & Resettlement (R&R) sector also, the
progress is meagre 3.89 % in this period.

There was drastic decrease in budgetary support to the Project by Government of AP during
2019-24, when compared to 2014-19. In fact, the expenditure incurred on the project for the
work done during the period from 2019-24 is Rs.4167.53 crores.

There is also no tangible action regarding resolving disputes with Odisha, Chhattisgarh and
Telangana, getting approval for the 2nd Revised Cost Estimate (at 2017-18 Price Level) etc.

POOR PROGRESS FROM 2019-24: POOR PLANNING AND CANCELLATION OF

CONTRACT AND DAMAGES TO PROJECT COMPONENTS

Due to failure in taking timely actions like (i) closing the Gaps in the Upstream Coffer dam (ii)
completion of R&R for certain villages likely to be affected due to completion of Upstream
Coffer Dam (iii) completion of works in the foreshore before impoundment of water above the
Upstream Coffer dam, there was very poor progress in works including approach channel to
Spillway, approach channel to both Right and Left head regulators etc. It also resulted in severe
damage to the Diaphragm wall of main dam, cut-off wall of downstream coffer dam and
partially completed downstream coffer dam. In addition, it also resulted in deep scours in the
foundation areain the entire base width of the main dam. Measures to be taken to overcome
these bottlenecks also have not been finalized.As a result, it is now not possible to to commence
any work pertaining to the main dams (Gap-I and Gap-II).
The change of agency abruptly at a critical stage of work, duly ignoring the advice of the
Polavaram Project Authority(PPA), MoJS, GOI and delay in mobilization of required men and
machinery by the new agency and not realising the importance of closing of the two gaps in the
upstream coffer dam resulted in the severe damage to the Diaphragm wall and other damages
mentioned above.

The executing agency of main dam of Polavaram Project stopped the works in 6/2019 on the
directions of the Government. They were informed that their contracts would be pre-closed as
per recommendations of Expert Committee constituted by Government. Later notices were
served on the executing agencies of main dam namely M/s Navayuga Engineering Company
Limited (NECL) and M/s Bekem Infra Projects Private Limited (BEKEM) for pre-closure and
termination of their contracts as per clause 89.3 of General Conditions of Contract of the
agreements on the directions of Government based on the recommendations of the Expert
Committee constituted by Government vide G.O.Rt.No. 295 dated 14.06.2019.

Thereafter, the contracts of executing agencies namely M/s Navayuga Engineering Company
Limited (NECL) and M/s Bekem Infra Projects Private Limited (BEKEM) were pre-closed and
terminated on the specific directions of Government as per clause 89.3 of General Conditions of
Contract of respective agreements based on the recommendations of the Expert Committee
constituted by Government vide G.O.Rt.No. 295 dated14.06.2019.

Minutes of PPA meeting to not Change of executing agency: The Polavaram Project
Authority (PPA) which was specially constituted by GOI to execute the project as per the
provisions of AP Reorganization Act, 2014had detailed deliberations on the issue of pre-closure
notice to M/s Navayuga Engineering Construction Ltd., and K/s Bekem Infra Ltd, contractors of
Polavaram Headworks in its 10th meeting held on 13.08.2019 at Hyderabad and made the
following observations.

1. There is neither enough ground nor any necessity for pre-closure of the present contracts
and retendering the works, particularly in view of satisfactory progress of work by the
existing contractors. This does not seem to be any concrete paper work to prove otherwise.

2. The legal and contractual issues arising out of fore-closure of the contract in 2009 for
construction of PIP Head works are still unsettled. Similar issues are likely to crop up this
time also. Such issues are likely to take a toll on the efficiency of officials of the Department
by diverting their attention/resources on managing such conflicts rather than on better
planning and management of the project. This may also increase the financial liability of the
State Government. GOI needs to be insulated on this account.

3. It took almost four years for the WRD, GoAP (from 2009 to2013) to finalize the new
contractor of PIP Head Works. Similar situation may occur this time also, delaying
completion of the project indefinitely and plunging the project into uncertainty.

4. The process of re-tendering, mobilization etc., by new contractors may take around 8 to 10
months to achieve the requisite pace of works which may ultimately delay completion of
project.

5. It will not be possible to impose provisions related to defect liability for 2 years and O&M by
contractors for 5 years on the existing contractors after termination of the contracts. This
will create un-foreseen complications. This may further hamper the pace of construction of
the project and ultimately may delay the completion of the project.
 6. While the cost of the project is certainly likely to increase, exact quantum of increase in cost
of the project can be assessed only after receiving the response to the tenders. Also, delay in
completion of project will have adverse socio-economic impact due to delayed realization of
benefits from the project. Indirect cost of delayed realization of benefits from the project is
likely to be much more than the savings, if any at all.

7. The delay in completion of the project will also cause additional expenditure on power for
lifting of water through Pattiseema, Tadipudi, Pushkara and Purushotapatnam Lift
Irrigation Schemes which have been constructed by GoAP to realize early benefits from the
Polavaram Project and operation of which is proposed to be discontinued when water could
be delivered by gravity after completion of Polavaram Project. This is estimated to be about
Rs.300 crore per annum as informed by WRD officials during the meeting.

8. Pre-closure of contracts will also have additional cost by way of compensation to be

provided to the contractors for de-mobilization, etc.

9. There is no guarantee that the bids in retendering process will be lower than ongoing
contracts, thus making the whole process infructuous.

Letter of PPA to not Change of Executing Agency: The Chief Executive Officer, Polavaram
Project Authority (PPA), Ministry of Jal Sakthi, GOI in his D.O. letter no.3/10/2016/PP/2177
DATED 16.08.2019 addressed to Special Chief Secretary, Water Resources Department, GoAP
advised to abandon the idea of pre-closure and retendering of the work in the best interests of the
project or at the least keep the same in abeyance till a considered view is taken by GOI in the
matter citing following reasons.

There is neither enough ground nor any necessity for pre-closure of the present contracts
and retendering the works.Such a step will result in unforeseen consequences and will plunge the
project into uncertainty. The project is not only likely to get delayed, it will have adverse socio-
economic impact as well due to delay in realization of benefits from the project apart from likely
increase in the cost of the project.

In spite of the same, the contracts of the existing executing agencies were pre-closed/terminated
ignoring the directions of PPA, MoJS, GOI. Tenders were invited for the balance works of
Polavaram main dam along with Hydro-power station under reverse tendering system on
17.08.2019.

Additional Expenditure due to Change in Executing Agency: An agreement was concluded

with the new agency M/s Megha Engineering &Infrastructures Ltd (MEIL) for Rs. 1548.12 crore
after reverse tendering process on 08.11.2019 at (-) 12.6% less over the earlier contract rates. It
was claimed that there is a saving of Rs.628.47 crore due to this process of cancellation of
previous tender and this reverse tendering.

It is important to note that, later, during execution of these works, two fresh tenders were floated
under the pretext of change of specifications of certain items and certain additional items found
necessary including those pertaining to scour treatment works. These fresh tenders were called
with current rates (SSR).Further, these two workswere assigned to the same agency which was
identified under reverse tendering system. Agreementsfor these two works were concluded with
M/s MEIL i.e., (i) additional works/works with change of specification for Rs.669.47 crore at (-
1.98%) less than estimate rates (with current SSR 2021-22) on 27.08.2021 and (ii) Scour
treatment works and other additional works for Rs.2021.22 crore at (-) 1.024% less over estimate
rates (with Current SSR 2022-23) on 22.05.2023.
Under these two new contracts, works worth Rs.2268.68 crore were entrusted to the same agency
based on latest/current Schedule of Rates at (-) 1% to 2% less instead of taking up these works as
supplemental/additional items under the original contract assigned at (-) 12.6% less over the
earlier contract rates (i.e (-) 14.0% less over estimates rates based on 2015-16 SSR).

From the above, it is very clear that the claim of saving of Rs.628.47 crore by terminating earlier
contracts and entrusting the same to a new agency by reverse tendering is not true and in fact it
resulted into extra financial burden on the state exchequer on account of entrustment of
supplemental/ additional items of the project under two fresh contracts of value Rs.2268.68 crore
(based on current SSR) to the same agency at higher tender percentage than the original contract.

Lack of timely Action: The then Government during the period from 5/2019 to 11/2021, failed to
take necessary action to plug the two gaps left in Upstream Coffer Dam. Had appropriate timely
action been taken to plug the two gaps, then calamity of deep scouring of the riverbed both on the
upstream and downstream of D-wall and damage of D-wall, Partially completed Downstream
Coffer dam includingits cutoff wall would not have occurred and the project would have been
completed by this time. Due to this lapse, the original topography/terrain of river bed in the entire
base width of the main ECRF dams in Gap-I and Gap-II was disturbed with deep scours.The
scour treatment works taken up by filling the scours with sand resulted in different foundation
soils underneath the base width of the main ECRF dams (Gap –I and Gap – II) requiring extensive
stabilization/remedial measures causing both time and cost overrun.

Report of IIT Hyderabad on reasons for delay in project delay: In accordance with directive
by O.M dated 22.04.2019 and Niti Aayog suggestion to undertake ‘Interim evaluation of Ongoing
Major Projects’, the Polavaram Project Authority (PPA) engaged the services of Indian Institute of
Technology, Hyderabad (IITH) for conducting ‘Third party evaluation for the Polavaram
Irrigation Project’ on 06.08.2021. The IITH submitted its report on 05.11.2021. In this evaluation
report, the observation of IITH is given below.

The major reasons for time delays are inadequate construction and contract management,
contractor changes, lack of strategic planning and coordination, frequent design
changes/deviations, legal issues and non-compliance of directions/recommendations of the
established monitoring mechanisms by the executing agency.

The drastic decline in the growth of the expenditure in 2019-20 is attributed to the delay in the
progress of the work associated with the change in the executing agency and re-tendering process.
Similarly, the decline in the subsequent years is due to the GOVID-19 pandemic.

Even though about 22 lakh cusecs flood in 2020 has caused havoc through deep scouring (lengh:
150m; level: about -22 m) at three locations near to the ECRF dam (d/s coffer dam, gap 1 and
gap 2), this cannot be considered under force majeure category. The reason for this destruction
can be attributed to ‘inefficient planning’ due to untimely closure of gaps in the coffer
dam.However, this will have a strong implication in the timely completion of successor activities
such as ECRF dam construction.

There is underutilization of allocated budget by the executing agency in all the years.

Improper planning and scheduling of work, change of executing agencies, delays in finalization of
designs, delays in mobilization of required men and machinery etc., in the execution of the
project, finally lead to cost overrun and time overrun.

Diversion of amount reimbursed to GoAP by GOI

During the period from 01.04.2014 to 31.05.2019, an expenditure of Rs.11762.47 Cr was incurred
on this project by the State Government out of which an amount of Rs.6764.16 crore only was
reimbursed to the State by GOI during this period and an amount of Rs.4998.31 crore was
pending for reimbursement which was released subsequently after 31.05.2019. Further, during the
period from 01.06.2019 to 31.05.2024, the State Government incurred an expenditure of
Rs.4996.53 Cr only even though the GOI reimbursed an amount of Rs.8382.11 crore to the State
Government. Thus an amount of Rs.3385.58 Cr was diverted instead of spending the same on the
Polavaram project, thereby starving the project of funds. This has affected the progress of the
works of the project and LA and R&R very badly as payment of bills for an amount of Rs.2697
crore are pending as on 31.05.2024. All the executing agencies of the project have practically
stopped the work due to non-payment of their pending bills.

TECHNICAL CHALLENGES ARISING DUE TO POOR PLANNING

Several technical challenges have been encountered in respect of various components of the
project due to poor project planning including in the construction of Diaphragm wall (D- Wall),
Earth Cum Rock Fill (ECRF) Dam in Gap I & Gap II, Excess Seepages and failure of Guide Bund
etc.

Diaphragm wall (D-Wall)

In the period from June 2018 to November 2018, no upstream coffer dam was in place. Entire
flood was passed over the diaphragm wall in the entire width of the river. Since no high velocity
flows are generated, there was no damage occurred to the diaphragm wall.

In the period from June 2019 to November 2019, the upstream coffer dam was partly completed,
leaving two gaps. These gaps were not plugged as per the decision taken by the Polavaram
Project Authority (PPA) in its meeting held on 31.05.2019. The reason was that Rehabilitation &
Resettlement (R&R) works of certain villages likely to be affected due to completion of
Upstream coffer dam in both West Godavari & East Godavari districts were not completed. An
assessment was also made that, that year, the flood would not cross 15 lakh cusecs. A study was
also conducted to understand the velocities that could be generated if one or two gaps in
Upstream coffer dam were left unplugged. Based on these studies and flood forecast, a call was
taken to leave the gaps unplugged for the season. Some protection measures were suggested and
they were carried out. A maximum flood of 13.95 lakh cusecs was received and there was no
damage to the diaphragm wall.

In the period from June 2019 to June 2020, Rehabilitation & Resettlementwork for the villages
in both West Godavari & East Godavari districtswere not completed.

During the flood season from June 2020 to November 2020,in spite of request, the gaps in the
Upstream coffer dam were not plugged before on set of monsoon in June 2020.During this flood
season, the Maximum flood received was 22 lakh cusecs. When such huge flood haspassed
through the two gaps in the Upstream coffer dam, it generated high velocity flow. These high
velocity flows through the two gaps caused deep scours on downstream side of the coffer dam in
the foundation area of main dam, extending beyond the D-Wall and resulted in the damage of D-
wall in the portions in front of these two gaps.

The National Hydro Power Corporation (NHPC), a Government of India undertaking, assessed
the health of the D-Wall in Gap II and reported that D-Wall from Ch 175 m to Ch 360 m, from
Ch 480 m to Ch 510 m, Ch 950 m to Ch 1020 m and from Ch 1170 m to Ch 1370 m was
damaged/disintegrated in 4 reaches including top 5 m all along the remaining reaches also.

In addition, the cut-off of the Downstream coffer dam from Ch 148 m to Ch 695 m was washed
away due to high velocity flow generated from the gaps of Upstream coffer dam.

In the working season from November 2020 to June 2021, the two gaps in the Upstream coffer
dam were plugged and river flow was diverted through Spillway. The D-Wall damage could not
be assessed as it was under deep pool of water due to the scour.

The National Hydro Power Corporation (NHPC) assessed the health in the period from January
2023 to February 2023. There was after a period of about 2 years 6 months from the date of
occurrence of damage of D-Wall. NHPC suggested that only the damaged portion of D-Wall be
rectified as the portion which was not damaged was intact and can be made use of safely.

The Dam Design Review Panel (DDRP) in its meeting held on 05.03.2023 agreed to the solution
suggested by the National Hydro Power Corporation (NHPC). The contractor M/s Megha
Engineering & Infrastructure Limited (M/s MEIL) took the suggestion of M/s Bauer India
Limited who were willing to do the job as per the NHPC suggestion but were unwilling to stand
guarantee for the performance of the D-Wall after repair.M/s. BauerIndia Limitedsuggested that
it is better to construct a new plastic D-Wall for entire length of the river as a long-term solution
to ensure overall dam safety. In view of this technical opinion of M/s. Bauer India Limited, the
contracting agency M/s MEIL submitted that it would be appropriate to construct a new D-Wall
parallel to the existing D-Wall.

Thereupon, Government of Andhra Pradesh sent a proposal to Central Water Commission

(CWC), Government of India requesting permission to takeup construction of new parallel D-
Wall for entire length. A decision on the same is awaited.

In the period from July 2020 to June 2024, work on the diaphragm wall and ECRF dam
was at a total standstill.

Excess Seepage from Coffer Dams

The two gaps in the Upstream coffer dam were plugged in non-flood season from November
2020 to June 2021. In spite of this, working area could not be provided to rectify the diaphragm
wall or start any activity on the ECRF dam as the Downstream coffer dam was not in place.

The Downstream Coffer dam was completed in February 2023. Thereafter, in the flood season
from June 2023 to November 2023, it was observed that there was excess seepage from both
Upstream coffer dam & Downstream coffer dam. Hence working area could not be provided for
taking up the D-Wall rectification and ECRF dam works. So far, the excess seepage was not
arrested.

ECRF Dam Gap I

Due to high velocity flow in the 2020 flood season, the existing river bed in the Upstream
portion of ECRF dam (Gap I) alignment was washed away. This was led to the situation where
the base of ECRF dam (Gap I) will be resting on two different sub strata (one original river bed
strata & other filled up strata). Hence additional treatment measures are required to take up the
ECRF dam Gap I. This work has not been taken up as the design and treatment measures
are not yet finalized.

Slippage of Left side Guide bund on Upstream side of Spillway:

A guide bund has been provided to prevent the cross flows of water from the main river course
into the Approach channel to Spillway in order to avoid skewed flow over the spill way. Cross
flow reduces the velocities of flow through spillway,thereby reducing the discharge capacity of
spillway. In June 2023, the Upstream left guide bund of the spillway from Ch146 m to Ch 280 m
was slipped into the approach channel. The same is yet to be rectified.

Right & Left Connectivities:

The balance works in Left and Right connectivities viz., lining of tunnels & construction of
structures has slowed down.

The proposal to widen the right-side twin tunnels to increase the discharge from 10000 cusecs
each to 20000 cusecs each to achieve a total discharge of 40000 cusecs, is in progress.

Main Canals:

Right Main Canal:

91.14% of works of Right Main Canal were completed by 5/2019 itself. The canal is made
through and water is being released since 2015. The progress of these works during the period
from 5/2019 to 5/2024 is only 1.61% mostly by way clearing certain pending bills. No work is
going on any of the packages of this canal during the above period.

Left Main Canal:

70.99% of works of Left Main Canal were completed by 5/2019. The canal is made through
upto Km 51.00 out of total length of 212.32 KM before 5/2019. The existing agencies in
Packages 1,3,5 and 6 were pre-closed as per the orders of the Government during 2019-20. New
agencies for the above packages and package 8-A are not yet fixed even after a lapse of 4years.
The progress of works during the period from 5/2019 to 5/2024 is 2.08% only mostly by way of
clearing certain old pending bills. No work was carried out during the above period.

Distributory Network:

Works pertaining to Main Canals and distributory network are to be completed paripassu with
that of Head works to ensure creation of new ayacut and reaping the main benefits contemplated
under the project. So far no work has been commenced pertaining to this component. The
Detailed Project Report of this component is not yet finalised.

Land acquisition and Rehabilitation & Resettlement (LA and R&R)

The Land acquisition required for Phase I i.e., +41.15 m is 100099.58 Acres. Out of which
83659.10 Acres has been acquired and Balance 16440.48 Acres is scheduled to be completed by
January 2025.

The balance Land acquisition required from +41.15 m to +45.72 m (Full Reservoir Level) is
67,665.55 Acres. Out of which 29,465.07 Acres was acquired and Balance 38200.48 Acres is
scheduled to be taken up in Phase II.
 As part of Rehabilitation & Resettlement, total Project displaced families (PDFs) to be shifted
for the Phase I i.e., up to +41.15 m is 38060 PDFs. Out of which 12797 PDFs were shifted and
Balance 25263 PDFs are scheduled to be shifted by March 2026.

In the Revised Cost Estimate (RCE) II 2017-18, the total Project displaced families (PDFs) to be
shifted for Full Reservoir Level is assessed as 106006 PDFs, however, as per Socio Economic
Survey (SEC) the total PDFs to be shifted is revised to 96660 PDFs. Hence the balance PDFs to
be shifted from +41.15 m to +45.72 m (FRL) is 58,600 PDFs. The shifting of these PDFs will be
taken up in the Phase II.

The Balance Amount required for completing the Land acquisition and Rehabilitation &
Resettlementof Phase I is Rs. 7116Crs

The Balance Amount required for completing the Land acquisition and Rehabilitation &
Resettlementof Phase II (from +41.15 m to +45.72 m) is Rs. 18801Crs.

Delay in Construction schedule of Polavaram Irrigation Project

Had the executing agency not been changed and had the project planning been proper, the project
would have been completed in time to release water in Kharif 2020. Due to inefficient planning
and unnecessary change in executing agency, the project was rescheduled to be completed by
June 2021. Later the completion schedule was extended to June 2022 and then again to June
2023, putting the project under deep uncertainty.

Financial Loss to state due to delay in Hydro Power Project

The first 3 units of the Polavaram Hydro Electric Project were scheduled to be completed by
November 2021. The other 6 units were to be commissioned within six months thereafter. Non-
commissioning of these units has resulted in non-availability of cheap power to the state and has
hence resulted in loss of more than Rs.3000 Cr upto May 2024. This loss will go on increasing as
the project completion is getting further delayed as discussed above.

Way Forward

The project has been brought into a very difficult situation The Revised Cost Estimate - II (RCE-
II) for Phase -I at 41.15 M Minimum Draw Down Level (MDDL) for an amount of Rs.30,436.95
Cr is recommended by Revised Cost Committee (RCC). After deducting the expenditure spent,
the balance amount required for completing the project with impounding of water up to +41.15 m
is arrived as Rs. 12157 Cr. This balance amount is recommended by RCC and is to be approved
by Government of India.

Investigation of seepage assessment from coffer dams to find out vulnerable points is under taken
as suggested by international expert design consultant M/s AFRY India Pvt. Ltd., Noida (Head
Quarters : Sweden) and time lines are fixed for each activity

The services of international experts two each from Canada and United States of America (USA)
are engaged by Polavaram Project Authority on the advice of Central Water Commission (CWC)
for scrutiny of the proposals received from the Water Resources Department, Government of AP.
Methodology for executing Vibro stone columns in clayey foundations is to be finalised and final
designs for ECRF Dams ( Gap I & Gap II) are to be got approved in coordination with
International design consultant M/s AFRY India Pvt. Ltd., Noida (Head Quarters: Sweden) and
International consultants engaged by Polavaram Project Authority.

Entire construction of the Main dam works is programmed to be completed in 4 years including
Left & Right connectivities and the balance works of Right Main Canal & Left Main Canal and
all other remaining components.

Rehabilitation & Resettlementworks, shifting of Project displaced families (PDFs) up to +41.15m

is programmed to becompleted by March 2026.All the components of the project necessary for
impounding of water upto a level of +41.15 m (MDDL) storing 115.43 TMC of water is
programmed to be completed by June 2028 so as to divert water by gravity through Right Main
Canaland Left Main Canal.

The balance Rehabilitation & Resettlementworks and Shifting of Project displaced families
(PDFs)will be taken up in a phased manner to impound the water up to Full Reservoir Level of
+45.72 m and there by realizing contemplated benefits fully under this Multipurpose National
Project.

Rs. 12157 Cr is the likely cost of completion of balance works of Phase I of the project.