Big Setback For Polavaram Project

Polavaram dam is regarded as the lifeline of Andhra Pradesh but the construction is not progressing as anticipated. The construction works of the dam have already missed a couple of deadlines and now with the YCP government at the helm, there is no clue when the project will be completed.

In a major setback for Polavaram’s construction, the government of India has cut down its share of providing financial assistance. Setting new terms for the national irrigation projects, the Union Jal Shakti Ministry issued fresh guidelines that hereafter for all national irrigation projects, the government of India will be providing sixty percent of financial resources and the rest should be managed by the respective states.

Earlier the terms and guidelines were, the GoI would provide ninety percent financial assistance and now we see a thirty percent reduction. Regarding the fresh guidelines, the Jal Shakti ministry has written to all the states including Andhra Pradesh. The new guidelines also take account of the state’s sponsored funds and only after acknowledging the state’s assistance, GoI will release its share of funds.

Also the amended terms will come into effect for new and already under construction projects that include Polavaram dam. Moreover the GoI will not further announce new national projects unless there is a high priority and necessity. But the fresh guidelines have exemptions for North-East region, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Union Territories like Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh.

With the Jal Shakti Ministry revising its terms and guidelines, the Polavaram dam may take longer than expected and with the state government already in deep debts, it would be one hell of a task to borrow more money and will put additional burden.