Lok Sabha Question No. 359 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-12-08
Subject: Polavaram Project
Ministry: JAL SHAKTI
Asked by: Srinivas Kesineni, Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu, Kotagiri Sridhar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI,

## DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 359

ANSWERED ON 08.12.2022

## POLAVARAM PROJECT

359

SHRI KESINENI SRINIVAS SHRI LAVU SRI KRISHNA DEVARAYALU SHRI SRIDHAR KOTAGIRI

Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:-

- (a) the current status of the Polavaram Project along with the targets and timelines set for the completion of the Polavaram Irrigation Project;
- (b)  whether  the  progress  of  the  Polavaram  Irrigation  Project  has  been  in  line  with  the  said  targets  and timelines;
- (c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (d) the steps taken by the Government to expedite the completion of the Polavaram Irrigation Project and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (e) the details of the cost overrun in the project since 2019;
- (f) whether it is a fact that the Government of Andhra Pradesh is facing a shortage of funds for the project and if so, the details thereof;
- (g) whether it is a fact that out of the 1,06,006 Project Displaced Families (PDFs) to be rehabilitated, less than 10,000 families have been rehabilitated so far; and
- (h) if so, the details and the reasons for delayed rehabilitation?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI ( SHRI BISHWESWAR TUDU )

- (a) to  (c) Physical  progress  of  works  of  Polavaram  Irrigation  Project  (PIP)  till October,  2022 is  given below:

| S.No.   | Components   | %of physical progress   |
|---------|--------------|-------------------------|
| A       | Headworks    |                         |
| 1       | Earthwork    | 74.46                   |
| 2       | Concrete     | 81.71                   |
| 3       | Steel        | 79.79                   |

| B   | Right Main Canal                   |        |
|-----|------------------------------------|--------|
| 1   | Earthwork                          | 100.00 |
| 2   | Lining                             | 93.61  |
| 3   | Structures                         | 83.92  |
| C   | Left Main Canal                    |        |
| 1   | Earthwork                          | 91.80  |
| 2   | Lining                             | 71.91  |
| 3   | Structures                         | 40.13  |
| D   | Resettlement& Rehabilitation (R&R) | 53.98  |

A  number  of  key  components  of  PIP,  such  as  spillway,  upstream  coffer  dam,  concrete  dam  (gap  III), diaphragm wall of earth cum rock-fill dam (ECRF) (gap-I) have been completed. Implementation of other key components like construction of ECRF dam (gap I & II) and rehabilitation and resettlement (R&R) of affected project displaced families (PDFs) is in different stages.

As per the presently assessed timelines, the project is scheduled to be completed by March, 2024, and its distributary network by June, 2024. However, in view of setback on account of major floods in Godavari during 2020 and 2022, some delay in the proposed schedule is expected.

- (d) Government  of  India  has  setup  Polavaram  Project  Authority  (PPA)  for  monitoring  and  timely implementation of the project. PPA is being supported by a number of expert agencies of Government of India as well as the State Government, to ensure timely implementation of the project. Further, the project is being reviewed frequently at Government of India level, whereby the bottlenecks are identified and way forward is suggested.
- (e) Government of India had estimated the cost of the project at 2013-14 price level at Rs.29,027.95 crore. At 2017-18 price level, the estimated cost of the project works out to Rs. 47,725.74 crore. No subsequent cost estimation has been carried out for the project at Government of India level.
- (f) As per Ministry of  Finance O.M. dated 30.09.2016, Government of India has been reimbursing the expenditure on irrigation component of PIP with effect from 01.04.2014, upon receipt of verified bills and recommendations from the PPA and Central Water Commission (CWC). Till now, Rs.13,226.043 crore has been reimbursed after declaring the project as National Project. Further, Government of Andhra Pradesh has submitted a claim of Rs 483 crore to PPA for reimbursement.

However,  many  references  have  been  received  from  Government  of  Andhra  Pradesh,  indicating requirement of funds for implementation of the project.

- (g)  &  (h) Rehabilitation  of  1,06,006  project  displaced  families  (PDFs)  has  been  taken  up  by  the implementing agency, i.e., Government of Andhra Pradesh, in two phases. Rehabilitation of 20,946 PDFs upto +41.15 m storage (phase I) is currently being targeted. Under phase I, so far 11,306 PDFs have been reported to have been rehabilitated.