Telangana Government Engages IIT to Study Polavaram Irrigation Project

January 6, 2025

The Telangana government has initiated a collaboration with experts from the Indian Institute of Technology, Hyderabad (IIT-H) to assess the effects of the Polavaram irrigation project on the Godavari River. This decision follows concerns regarding the project’s impact on local ecosystems and communities. The Polavaram project aims to provide irrigation to approximately 295,000 hectares, stabilise an additional 400,000 hectares, and supply drinking water to 540 villages, benefiting around 285,000 individuals.

Overview of the Polavaram Project

The Polavaram multipurpose project is located in the Eluru district of Andhra Pradesh. It was declared a national project under the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act of 2024. The project is for its potential to generate 960 megawatts of hydropower. It aims to enhance irrigation facilities and drinking water supply across several districts.

Objectives of the Project

The primary objectives of the Polavaram project include:

Development of irrigation facilities for agriculture.
Provision of drinking water to rural populations.
Generation of hydropower to meet energy demands.
Support the agricultural economy of the region.

Environmental and Cultural Concerns

The chief minister of Telangana, A Revanth Reddy, has expressed concerns about the potential impact of the Polavaram project on the Lord Ram temple in Bhadrachalam. In 2022, flooding caused damage in the area, denoting the risks posed by the project. The IIT-H study aims to evaluate these threats comprehensively.

Collaboration with IIT-H

The Telangana government has tasked IIT-H experts with conducting a detailed study of the backwaters created by the Polavaram project. A special officer will coordinate this effort, and a comprehensive report is expected within a month. This collaboration reflects the government’s commitment to informed decision-making regarding water management.

Krishna-Godavari River Linking Project

The Andhra Pradesh government has proposed the Krishna-Godavari river linking project, which aims to divert water from the Godavari River. This project has raised objections from Telangana officials, who are concerned about its implications for water resources in their state. The Telangana government plans to formally address these concerns with the Andhra Pradesh administration.

Polavaram is a multi-purpose irrigation project on the Godavari River.
It aims to stabilise irrigation for 400,000 hectares in Andhra Pradesh.
The project has been delayed and is now expected to finish by 2027.
The Godavari River is the second-longest river in India, spanning 1,465 km.
It is known as Dakshin Ganga due to its significance in southern India.

Key Facts About the Godavari River System

The Godavari River System is the largest river basin in Peninsular India.
It is known as “Dakshin Ganga” or “Vridhha Ganga” due to its size and importance.
The Godavari is the second-longest river in India, with a total length of about 1,465 km.
It originates from Trimbak in the Western Ghats (Nashik district, Maharashtra) and flows into the Bay of Bengal, forming a delta near Rajahmundry.
It covers parts of Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, and Yanam (Union Territory of Puducherry).
The river system is bounded by:

- - North: Satmala Hills, Ajanta Range, Mahadeo Hills.
  - South and East: Eastern Ghats.
  - West: Western Ghats.

Tributaries:

- Left Bank Tributaries: Dharna, Penganga, Wainganga, Wardha, Pranahita, Pench, Kanhan, Sabari, Indravati.
  - Painganga: Originates in Ajanta ranges, flows along Maharashtra-Andhra Pradesh border.
  - Wardha: Originates in Satpura Range, merges with Wainganga to form Pranahita.
  - Wainganga: Originates from Mahadeo Hills, flows through Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.
- Right Bank Tributaries: Pravara, Mula, Manjra, Peddavagu, Maner.
  - Manjra: Originates in Balaghat Range (Ahmednagar), flows through Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh; Nizam Sagar dam built on it.