Polavaram ECRF Gap-1 Works to Start Soon
Water authorities submit designs to the Central Water Commission; construction to continue through the monsoon
Vijayawada: The Polavaram irrigation projects’ Earth-Cum-Rock-Fill Dam’s Gap-1 works would begin shortly as the water resources authorities are set to submit its designs for approval to the Central Water Commission.
One of the project’s executing agencies has submitted the designs for the ECRF Gap-1 works spread over 582 metres in length to the water resources department on Thursday. They would fast-track the process of mandatory approval from the CWC for such designs, which could take 10 days.
Meanwhile, the designs and drawings for ECRF Gap-1 works would be sent to the experts for advice. Later, these would also be sent to the four-member panel of international experts to vet the designs. The CWC is the final authority for approval of designs and drawings before taking up work execution for the ECRF Dam.
As for the ECRF Dam’s Gap-2, investigations are in progress. It may take a few more months for the final drawings to be readied and approved by the CWC.
On the progress of the construction of the Diaphragm Wall, the authorities have completed works for 61 panels out of a total of 373. Out of 1,373 metres in length, construction of the wall was completed at a length of 258 metres so far and the arrival of a third cutter in addition to the existing two is helping the authorities to expedite the construction works.
Moreover, with monsoon rainfall expected under the influence of the southwest monsoon, the authorities have come up with plans to continue the works during July even in case of rainfall. The Godavari river is having floods of moderate level, and the dewatering is on in the construction areas of both D-Wall and at ECRF Gap-1 separately. At the D-Wall works area, the authorities would set up 188 pumps to continuously dewater the area to avoid any disruption of ongoing construction works.
A similar arrangement would be made at the ECRF Gap-1 works area.
Polavaram project superintending engineer Ramachandra Rao said, “We have stocked construction material like rocks, sand, metal, etc to take up construction of the ECRF’s Gap-1 works subject to approval of designs by the CWC.
