Kakinada:An international expert team has expressed satisfaction with the construction progress and quality-control measures at the Polavaram project following a four-day review of key works, with a focus on the Earth-Cum-Rock-Fill (ECRF) dam.

The team, comprising Richard Donnelly, Gianfranco Di Cicoo, Sean Hinchberger and David Paul, visited the project from October 14 to 17. The review involved 40 hours of field inspections and technical meetings, including 13 hours of on-site inspections and visits to testing facilities and 27 hours of technical discussions.

The experts inspected construction works at ECRF dam Gaps 1 and 2 and visited quality-control laboratories to examine testing procedures. They appreciated the construction and quality-control arrangements, including the use of technology in executing the ECRF dam and other project structures.

At a review meeting on Saturday, the team presented its observations to Polavaram Project Authority (PPA) officials, representatives of the Andhra Pradesh Water Resources Department and the contracting agency. The experts stressed the need to maintain construction standards throughout the remaining works, continue established testing procedures and systematically document all test results.

With the state aiming to complete the project ahead of the Godavari Pushkaralu scheduled for next year, the experts indicated that they would return to Polavaram in March for another review.

PPA chief executive officer Sanjeev Vohra chaired the review meetings. Officials from the central and state water resources departments, scientists from Central Soil and Materials Research Station (CSMRS), and representatives of Water and Power Consultancy Services (India) Limited (WAPCOS) and other agencies participated in the discussions and field inspections.

Vohra felicitated the international experts and officials with shawls and mementos. Andhra Pradesh water resources department engineer-in-chief K. Narasimha Murthy felicitated Vohra.

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