CWC to lead study of Polavaram project induced submergence in TG

Hyderabad:The dispute between Telangana and Andhra Pradesh over submergence of nearly 1,000 acres in Telangana once AP starts impounding water at the full reservoir level at Polavaram, appeared to have moved one step ahead with the Polavaram Project Authority (PPA) on Tuesday saying it would ask the Central Water Commission to lead an inspection of all the areas of submergence in the state flagged by Telangana.

Officials of the Telangana irrigation department on Tuesday made a detailed presentation to the PPA on the state’s concerns at a meeting of the authority. Following the meeting, engineer-in-chief (general), Telangana irrigation, G. Anil Kumar, said that PPA chairman Atul Jain had agreed for a joint survey of submergence areas in Telangana and would ask the CWC to lead it.

In its presentation, Telangana said nearly 1,000 acres of farm land, schools, and even the temple town on Bhadrachalam would face inundation once AP began impounding water at the full reservoir level at Polavaram. Also likely to be impacted was the heavy water plant at Manuguru operated by the Heavy Water Board of the department of atomic energy. Heavy water is a critical component in atomic energy plants, according to Telangana irrigation officials’ presentation.

Telangana also has been saying that the backwaters from Polavaram project will result in congestion of around 7 large local streams that could result in local flooding.