Naidu seeks fast-track approval for Polavaram diaphragm wall

Vijayawada: Besides seeking fast-tracking the promises made in the Union Budget 2024-25 and Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu during his visit to New Delhi asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other Central Ministers to immediately finalise the design and funding for the diaphragm wall of the multi-purpose Polavaram Project.

In meetings with Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, and others, Naidu also pressed for the swift release of Rs 15,000 crore from multilateral agencies for the rebuilding of Amaravati and Rs 12,000 crore due from the Centre for completing the Polavaram project.

After approval in the State Cabinet, a formal proposal for construction of a new diaphragm wall was submitted to the NITI Aayog sometime ago. The wall was built at a cost of Rs 400 crore and the previous government had estimated that its repairs due to project escalation would cost around Rs 2,000 crore. However, four international experts deputed by the Jal Shakti Ministry and Polavaram Project Authority (PPA) inspected the dam site and recommended the construction of a new wall. According to preliminary estimates, the new wall can be built at a cost of Rs 1,000 crore by adopting the latest technologies.

During his Delhi visit on August 16 and 17, Naidu also called on the Civil Aviation Minister and his party MP K Rammohan Rao and discussed construction of seven greenfield airports in the State in private mode with the support of the Civil Aviation Ministry. The Centre promised to extend full support if the State allotted the required land for the new airports.

Naidu insisted on support under Special Assistance for Capital Investment (SACI) for taking up various capital projects in Andhra, reiterated the request for release of funds under the Backward Region Grant to support development of districts in Rayalaseema, Prakasam and North Coastal Andhra.