Naidu Reviews Polavaram Progress, Sets Deadline for Key Works, Reaffirms Commitment to Complete Mega Irrigation Project

Amaravati, July 2026 : Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Monday conducted a comprehensive review of the Polavaram Irrigation Project in Eluru district, directing officials to accelerate work on critical components and ensure that the state’s flagship irrigation project is completed within the stipulated timeline.

The Chief Minister began his visit with an aerial survey of the project site, closely observing the flow of Godavari floodwaters through the spillway and inspecting the ongoing construction between the upstream and downstream coffer dams. The aerial inspection was followed by an on-site review of the Earth-cum-Rock Fill (ECRF) Dam, particularly the crucial Gap 1 and Gap 2 sections, as well as the progress of the project’s power generation facilities.

Accompanied by Water Resources Minister Nimmala Ramanaidu and senior officials, Naidu reviewed the pace of construction and sought detailed updates on the remaining works. Officials informed him that nearly 89 per cent of the civil works on the ambitious national irrigation project have already been completed.

During a high-level review meeting, the Chief Minister instructed engineers and contractors to complete the remaining works on Gap 1 and Gap 2 of the ECRF Dam within the prescribed schedule. Officials also informed him that the tunnel works connecting the right and left canal systems are expected to be completed by the end of this month, marking another important milestone in the project.

Naidu directed authorities to speed up the construction of access roads to the dam, strengthen the right and left embankments, and undertake the development of the Gandi Pochamma Temple located near the project site. Stressing the importance of rehabilitation, he instructed officials to ensure that families displaced by the project do not face any hardship during the resettlement process. He called for the early completion of land acquisition as well as Rehabilitation and Resettlement (R&R) measures, while ensuring fair compensation for all affected families.

Highlighting the project’s long-term significance, the Chief Minister also proposed the construction of an iconic bridge near the Polavaram project as a landmark structure and emphasised the need to develop supporting infrastructure to improve connectivity and tourism in the region.

According to an official statement, Naidu has maintained close oversight of the project over the years. Since 2014, he has visited the Polavaram project site 37 times and chaired 136 review meetings to monitor construction progress and resolve implementation challenges.

Earlier in the day, while interacting with farmers at Pitchuka Lanka in Dr B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema district, the Chief Minister said the coalition government has invested nearly Rs 24,000 crore in the irrigation sector over the past two years to strengthen water infrastructure across Andhra Pradesh.

Naidu also criticised the previous government for what he described as negligence in executing the Polavaram project. He claimed that nearly 72 per cent of the project’s work had been completed during the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) government’s tenure between 2014 and 2019, while only 2 per cent additional progress was achieved over the following five years.

He asserted that the project could have been completed by 2021 had the previous TDP government remained in office. However, after the formation of the present coalition government, construction activities have gained momentum, taking overall completion to 89 per cent, he said.

Reiterating his government’s commitment to affected families, Naidu assured that there would be no compromise on rehabilitation, resettlement or compensation. He expressed confidence that the Polavaram Project would be completed and dedicated to the nation as scheduled.

Describing Polavaram as a transformational project for Andhra Pradesh, the Chief Minister said its completion would permanently address irrigation and drinking water needs in the Godavari districts. He added that surplus Godavari waters would be diverted through the Pattiseema Lift Irrigation Scheme to the Krishna Delta and the drought-prone Rayalaseema region, significantly improving agricultural productivity, boosting rural incomes and transforming the state’s water management network for decades to come.