Polavaram: 6% Works Completed in Last One Year: Nimmala Ramanaidu
The government aims to boost irrigation, counter misinformation, and harness Godavari’s surplus water
Visakhapatnam: Water Resources Minister Nimmala Ramanaidu has said 6 per cent works of the Polavaram project has been completed during the term of the present government.
Ramanaidu was speaking at a good governance meeting in Gidijala, Anandapuram mandal, on Friday. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to complete the project by December 2027.
The minister pointed out that the Polavaram left canal would bring Godavari waters to Uttarandhra, fulfilling the long-standing dream of Srujala Sravanti and enhancing the region's agricultural productivity.
He highlighted efforts to expedite key irrigation projects, including the Vamsadhara-Nagavali, Nagavali-Champavathi linkage, Vamsadhara Stage 2 and the Thotapalli barrage. Also present at the event were Bheemili MLA Ganta Srinivasa Rao.
Ramanaidu accused former chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy of spreading misinformation on the height of the Polavaram project and wastewater discharge. He condemned Jagan Reddy for constructing a Rs 500 crore palace in Rishikonda and said this would be of no help to tourism.
The minister praised CM Chandrababu Naidu's efforts to develop Visakhapatnam as a hub for tourism, economic activities and the film industry. Naidu also saved the Vizag Steel Plant from privatization in the past, he said.
He said the design for the Polavaram-Banakacherla link project has been submitted to the Centre. The state aimed to harness part of the 3,000tmc of Godavari water that’s currently flowing into the sea.
In this connection, the water resources minister cited data showing that 153,000 cusecs of water was wasted between 1975 and 2024, countering Jagan Reddy’s claim that there was no surplus water.
