The people of Andhra Pradesh are considered very industrious in every arena and they have been instrumental in the development of many cities in South India. The flip side is today they are struggling to get certain key development dreams fulfilled in their own state. One such conundrum is Polavaram dam construction. A massive structure to tame the mighty Godavari, the project will not only generate electricity but also store more than 150 TMC’s of water stabilizing agriculture in Andhra region while providing water for Vizag residents and industries. The dam which started during the YSR regime was expected to be completed within a decade.
Now, even after 15 years a lot of bickering is happening between the centre and state as well as ruling and opposition parties. In this regard, some BJP leaders are creating more confusion with their Pro-TDP and Pro-YSRCP statements, painting an ever-confused picture regarding this prestigious project. TDP leaders claim that Chandrababu completed its major construction part while YSRCP say it is all hype and in fact, Naidu built a diaphragm wall without completing the coffer dam.
Last, it was the turn of BJP Minister Gajendra Shekawat and BJP MP GVL who made completely opposing statements. The Union government is yet to approve revised estimates and is only accepting 2013-14 prices as the benchmark. This may prove a death knell for the project while rehabilitation alone now costs more than 20,000 crores.
Given the massive construction materials like Cement, Iron and steel required the more the delay, the more the cost escalation. It was a key bifurcation promise made to Andhra Pradesh during state division and even after almost nine years, no one has any clue when the project will see its light of the day. In other words, unless one rises above political interests and works dedicatedly to see AP develop one day, Polavaram may become one classic example of how Andhras fail locally but excel globally.
The immense benefits of Polavaram include massive water supply for industrial development of North Coastal Andhra and stabilization of Krishna delta by diverting excess Godavari water to Prakasam Barrage. Well, we may speak a lot about it but unless the political game and diversion tactics ends, it may not be possible to see the project pick up amid talk that it may take decades more to see its final completion.
