Polavaram Project

Why in news?

• The Telangana government has written to the Polavaram Project Authority (PPA), which oversees the construction of the national irrigation project in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh, seeking a detailed study on the spread of backwaters of the project.
• It has expressed fears that it could submerge a famous Rama temple near Bhadrachalam, a border town between the two states which lies on the banks of the river Godavari.

About Polavaram Project:

• The Polavaram Project is an under construction multi-purpose irrigation project on the Godavari River.
• It is located in the West Godavari District and East Godavari District in Andhra Pradesh.
• Its reservoir spreads in parts of Chhattisgarh and Odisha also.
• The project has been accorded national project status by the Union Government of India.

Objectives of the Polavaram project:

• Enabling irrigation in Krishna, West Godavari, East Godavari, Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram and Srikakulam districts of Andhra Pradesh.
• The storage water of nearly 100 tmcft can also be used in downstream lift irrigation during the summer months.
• It also transfers water from Godavari to the Krishna basin as part of the National River Linking Project.
• It also facilitates hydro-electricity generation.

Challenges:

• The Polavaram Project became controversial due to objections from Telangana, Chhattisgarh and Odisha.
• These states are demanding a reduction in the height of the dam to prevent the submergence of villages.

Add on : The Pattiseema lift irrigation project -

• India’s first river linking project - connects Godavari River with Krishna River from the ongoing Polavaram Multi-purpose Irrigation Project.
• It will benefit the people especially farmers in the Krishna delta in terms of timely availability and adequate quantities of water.

PRELIMS QUESTION

Consider the following statements regarding Godavari river : 
1.It rises at Trimbakeshwar in Maharashtra.
2.Manjira and Indravati are tributaries of this river.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a)1 only
(b)2 only
(c)Both 1 and 2
(d)Neither 1 nor 2

Answer to prelims question