01-07-2025
MoEF expert panel returns Polavaram-Banakacherla link proposal; Andhra Pradesh directed to revise plan after Telangana concerns
HYDERABAD: In a big relief to Telangana and a setback for the Andhra Pradesh govt on the Polavaram-Banakacherla link project (PBLP), the Union ministry of environment, forest and climate change's (MoEFCC) expert appraisal committee (EAC) has returned the proposal of the link project to the neighbouring state.
The Andhra Pradesh govt has sought approval of the terms of reference (TOR) for conducting an environmental impact assessment and also public hearing for PBLP. With the setback, the Andhra Pradesh govt has to send the proposals afresh to the MoEFCC (river valley and hydroelectric projects) after revising them as per the EAC recommendations.
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The Telangana govt has been opposing the project as it is detrimental to the interests of the state and also the AP govt was taking up the project against the Godavari Water Disputes Tribunal Award orders and violation of other laws.
Chief minister A Revanth Reddy and irrigation minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy had met Union minister of jal shakti CR Patil a few days ago and put for the state's objections. The state govt also conducted an all-party meeting on the Banakacherla issue.
The EAC committee at its 33rd meeting discussed the proposal on June 17 and the minutes of the meeting were released on Monday.
The members of the committee opined that the proposed scheme aims to divert floodwaters from the Godavari basin (Polavaram Dam) to the water-deficit basins within the state.
"The EAC further observed that environmental clearance (EC) for the Indira Sagar Polavaram multipurpose project on the Godavari River, located at Polavaram in AP, was granted by the ministry on Jan 25 2005. However, due to submergence-related issues in Odisha and Chhattisgarh, the matter remains sub-judice," the committee members said.
The committee also recommended that the project proponent should comprehensively assess the availability of floodwaters in consultation with the Central Water Commission (CWC).
"The EAC also said that several representations have been received via email, alleging that the proposed scheme may be in violation of the Godavari Tribunal Award, 1980. In view of this, it is imperative that the project proponent should approach CWC for examining the inter-state issues and granting necessary clearance/permission before submitting the proposal for framing the TOR for conducting the EIA study," the EAC meeting opined.
