FinMin approves additional funding for Polavaram project

Vijayawada The Ministry of Finance has cleared additional funding for the Polavaram multipurpose project being taken up by the Andhra Pradesh Government with the support of the Government of India as a national project.

Responding to a question by YSRCP member V Vijayasai Reddy, Union Minister of State for Jal Shakti Bishweswar Tudu told the Rajya Sabha that the Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance on June 5, 2023 communicated no objection to additional funding for completing the balance work of Polavaram Irrigation Project (PIP) for filling of water up to 41.15 meters amounting to Rs 10,911.15 crore and Rs 2,000 crore for cost of repairing damages caused to PIP by flood being considered by the Government of India, subject to the approval of the Cabinet, by modifying the earlier decision.

The Minister said the Government of Andhra Pradesh vide letter dated June 5 has submitted revised cost estimate for Rs 17,144.06 crore for balance works for phase-I, i.e., for storage of water up to EL 41.15 m.

"Action has been taken for examination of the proposal expeditiously for facilitating its approval by the Government of India. However, it is not considered advisable to set a timeline for the purpose," he told the MP in response to his question.

The Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh vide letter dated July 15 requested the Centre for sanction of an adhoc grant of Rs 10,000 crore based on the proposal regarding PIP submitted by the State vide letter dated March 15, 2022. The provision requested has been duly incorporated in the O.M. dated June 5 of the Department of Expenditure, the Minister stated.