Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu.
| Photo Credit: File photo

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu advised officials to explore the possibilities of taking up the Polavaram-Banakacherla linkage project in an “operation model” to avoid financial burden. Operation model usually refers to efficient resource utilisation, sustainable management, technological integration among others. On Monday, he held a review meeting with the officials of the Water Resources Department at the Secretariat.

The Chief Minister directed that the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for this linkage should be completed by June 20, and the project should receive Central Water Commission (CWC) approval by October 20. He also stressed the importance of securing environmental clearances and starting the work promptly. Mr. Naidu  suggested that the power required to lift Godavari water from Polavaram can be produced through pump storage and solar power plants set up in the project area, thereby reducing costs.

The Polavaram-Banakacherla linkage is expected to cost ₹81,900 crore. This linkage will discharge 2 tmcft of water per day. Water will be transported through a 368.60 km open canal. The main tunnel will be 20.50 km long, while the Siddapuram twin tunnels will be 6.60 km and pipelines will extend upto 17 km. A total of 9 lifts will be utilised, requiring 3,377 MW of electricity.

The project requires the acquisition of 54,000 acres of land, including 15,300 acres of forest land. Additionally, 18 residential areas across five villages will need rehabilitation for the Bollapalli reservoir. The government will undertake the linkage process in three segments.

Under segment 1, water will be diverted from Polavaram to Pavitrasangam, located downstream of Prakasam Barrage, through the Tadipudi flood canal, with a discharge of 18,000 cusecs across 175 km. This will require 1,401 acres of land and cost ₹13,800 crore.

Under segment 2, from Vaikuntapuram to Bollapalli reservoir, water will be channelised with a discharge of 23,000 cusecs. This includes an open canal of 83.40 km, a pipeline of 12.05 km, and the construction of six lifts. This will utilise 2,493 MW of electricity, with 230 MW generated. The Bollapalli reservoir in this segment will have a live storage capacity of 152 tmcft. The cost for this segment will be ₹35,750 crore.

Under segment 3, water will be taken from Bollapalli reservoir to Banakacherla regulator with a discharge of 23,000 cusecs. This will involve constructing an open canal of 109.80 km, a pipeline of 5.7 km, the main tunnel, and Siddapuram twin tunnels. The expenditure for this segment will be ₹32,350 crore.

Irrigation water

The completion of the Polavaram-Banakacherla linkage will bring many benefits to the State. A total of 12.4 lakh hectares will receive irrigation water. Villages along the 400 km stretch of the canal will have their drinking water issues resolved, and groundwater levels will rise. Additionally, 430 MW of power will be generated. Fisheries in the Bollapalli reservoir and other benefits will create wealth amounting to ₹12,294 crore annually, as estimated by officials.